#if she ever made you feel unsafe or uncomfortable or worse i’m so sorry

[axelaqua]

god i want to put my sister on blast. god i really want to do it

[adonis-koo]

Star Struck

| 2 |

↳ Summary: You’re a creature of habit, you plan everything from each hour to each day, so you can imagine the chaos which ensues after you discover a random guy leaking black goo in a ditch- who just so happens to be an alien.

↳ Pairing: Jungkook/Reader

↳ Genre: lowkey strangers to lovers, alien!jungkook, fluff, smut, 

Word Count: 13k

Tags: tentacle sex im sorry, foreplay, oral (f) but not?? jungkook is technically a virgin by human standards ayyy, penetration, nipple play, over stimulation, double penetration, squirting, sub!jungkook, breath play, spit kink, jungkook can make his own lube??, anal im so sorry, praise kink, they become soul mates on accident oops,

Previous | Next

You didn’t see nor understand what JK was talking about at first, he just fumbled along between alleyways and roads and nobody, or what little people were on the streets didn’t look at you twice given your friend was as tall and broad as he was. Perks of being with a man you guessed. You still didn’t know what he was actually talking about except for the assumption that he had found his...friends…?

Eventually JK had dragged you through a lot of fields which had made you increasingly anxious, what if a kidnapper was out here? True you wouldn’t mind him using his talon like tentacles then but still...You also didn’t want to go to jail for assisting a homicide...Standing in an empty field, at the dead of night, was not what you intended on doing on a friday night.

JK seemed excited though as he bounced, grabbing a hold of you, he pressed his thumb to your forehead, your eyes fluttering shut on instinct from being so close to him suddenly but your brows pinched and an uncomfortable ache throbbed in your head before he released you. Rubbing your head you whined before you looked up again, only jumping with a screech at the...ship...in front of you...which was NOT there a moment ago. 

“Home!” JK announced proudly as he grabbed your hand, tugging you along against your will, was this really...his ship? Oh god what if he was abducting you...You didn’t have time to think as he ushered you inside. It looked small on the outside admittedly but on the inside it was all glossy and clean, a sleek futuristic look dawning the interior.

Futuristic, he was an alien, you weren’t shocked at the assessment but still. This must’ve been the hanger or...living area… or...hell if you knew ship terms, it looked like the dining room but you didn’t expect two others to appear. All of them speaking in that same throaty tongue as he ran to them, embracing them with pure excitement on his face before he pointed to you, a look of pride on his face as he cleared his voice, “Y/n.” He spoke clearly as if introducing you.

 You gave an awkward stiff wave before immediately dropping your arm, you were going to be extremely pissed if this was the LSD trip you thought you were having yesterday. You watched them all speak to one another before the one on the right nodded, saying something before gesturing JK off, who hurriedly ran off leaving you alone....with two aliens…

They both looked at you expectantly as you looked around, “Hi…” You offered an awkward smile, “You guys are terrifying…” Watching the one on the right grab a watering can to pour over a small...purple colored...tree? “You less so…” You turned to the other one, his eyes dark and piercing and wow…if you thought JK was hot you hadn’t even thought about what it would look like to seem someone attractive from his species, “You the most…” You wrapped your arms around yourself uncomfortably. 

“He’s just assessing you, Taehyung’s like that with anyone associated with our Jungkookie.” You nearly wheezed at the sound of the one on the right speaking full...English…he offered a dimpled smile as if anticipating that reaction, “Apologies. I’m Namjoon, I’m sure you’re extremely confused and scared with everything going on.” 

“...You could say that…” Your twisted somewhat painfully as you nodded rapidly, it was midnight and you were in a fucking spaceship, “Ummm, where did JK go…?” 

Namjoon as he called himself suddenly snorted, shaking his head as he sighed, “Told him he should’ve paid more attention in the academy,” He rolled his eyes, “Jungkook,” He emphasised the name, “That’s his full Earth name. He just forgot it because he never pays attention,” He offered a weak smile, “And he’s in the memoir chamber rememorizing English so he can actually speak to you. It’s handy for us Orionian’s in case a situation like this happens and we don’t know archaic languages like English.”

You didn’t understand a word of what he just said, “I’m sorry...I think I’m too dumb to talk to you, honestly…” You felt extremely stupid but much to your surprise Namjoon laughed in delight, as if endured by your words. 

“You humans are pretty humble huh,” He hummed as he continued watering the rest of his  plants, “Anyways, our ship crashed here on Earth on our way to the andromeda galaxy and Jungkook ended up falling out, it was an...extremely rocky crash…” His smile still weak as if a vague memory entered his mind, “You have our utmost thanks for taking him in when he was injured and housing him.” 

“It’s no problem, I would’ve done it for anyone.” You shifted a little, smiling a tiny bit despite still not feeling as comfortable as you wish you could be, it was just difficult to take in everything that was rapidly changing but your words still stood, you would have. Especially for...Jungkook...you lingered on the same, it sounded more fitting for the tall puppy like boy. 

“So what are your intentions with Jungkook?” You jumped at how deep the second voice was...Taehyung if you remembered correctly and he only looked about as hot as he was intimidating, “Why did you take him in if you knew his identity.” 

You flailed a little, intending to speak yet no words came out...you...you hadn’t really thought about it...at all honestly…”I...I ummm...well…” 

“Are you working for them?” Taehyung stepped towards you, his expression becoming cold as you feebly took a step back looking towards the ground and unsure of how to answer or if you’d even given him a satisfying answer. 

“Stop.” The new voice was raspy and low, not too terribly deep, but just enough to sound charming and rather rugged, Jungkook had appeared again only this time, immediately standing defensively in front of you, “She found me and even after finding out about me being an Orionian she didn’t report me to any Earth officials. I trust her, and you should too.” 

He...he could speak...perfect English now...What!? 

Taehyung’s eyes narrowed onto you, still distrustful but he laid off, “Right...and what is this about you bonding with her? I don’t think she’d be a good vessel.” 

Jungkook’s jaw twitched and you could see the glow of the crescents on his hand burning in red, “Well I’m not asking for your permission to bond with her.” He spat back, his brows furrowed and his lip twitching in anger, suddenly he didn’t look so cute and puppy like anymore, “And it’s not like we’re getting off Earth anytime soon with the ship in this state, so it’s best if we just resume the plan as originally intended.” 

“You think I’d choose a vessel as inferior as humans to have my offspring?” Taehyung’s face curled as if that was the biggest insult he had ever heard and yet you nearly choked at his words, vessel? Offspring? Uh what? 

“Stop fighting,” Namjoon sighed and much to your surprise both of the two boys quieted down, Jungkook still stood in front of you, shuffling a little closer as Namjoon sighed, “Jungkook is right…” He made a noise of victory as Taehyung’s mouth twitched in anger, the marks along his body burning a deep red that was just a little scary to watch from afar, “With the technology at hand here on Earth and with Arbitrators searching for us, it’s in our best interest to make the most of what we have here. Besides, Earth is unsuspecting and was one of our forerunner’s best creations. It’s not too far off irony to let them be the vessel of our offspring.” 

You stared up at Jungkook’s broad back in disbelief...this man was trying to impregnate you after a half a day of knowing you!? You weren’t sure plan B was prepared for this shit. Jungkook looked deeply satisfied at Taehyung’s reaction though before he turned to you, his expression soft and puppy-like as he smiled somewhat timidly before speaking as if he was a little giddy, “Hi…” 

You could’ve said anything in this moment, in which Jungkook looked like he had been excitedly waiting for, and yet your choice of words had been admittedly poor.

“You’re gonna have to bag another bitch, I don’t do kids! I...I did NOT sign up for this!” You immediately backed away from him like he was poison and you didn’t know how these fuckers procreated and at this point you weren’t sure you wanted to learn!

Jungkook’s lips parted and he looked a little hurt before he quickly approached you again, “I don’t expect you to want to carry my children yet….” 

“Yet!?” You shouted out making all three of them flinch a little, “I...I just let you stay at my place because you looked like you were dying in a ditch, and now! I’m in a spaceship, I can’t find the exit and you can suddenly speak English and you’re talking about kids!? This...nu-uh this is going way too fast. I...I really need to get home.” 

Jungkook’s lips trembled a little as he reached out for you, “I’ll take you back! Or-! Or you could stay here until the morning, you shouldn’t be out alone, Earth has proved to be unsafe at night.” He tenderly held your forearms as your expression awkwardly twisted. 

“Nothing worse could happen to me than what happened earlier tonight,” You shook your head rapidly as you sighed, “Just show me the exit, I’ll be fine, really. I’m happy for you! Seriously! I mean it looks like you’re reunited with your kin so there’s no reason for us to stay in contact and it’s been fun and out of this world- literally.” You laughed a little as you rambled, all three staring at you wide eyed, “But like, seriously I’ll keep this to myself and just hope it’s a really shitty drug trip like I originally thought it was…”

Jungkook sighed, lowering his head in defeat and his lips trembled a little in that sulky way it had been this morning as he went to the hatch where you both had come in, dialing a few buttons he waited a moment as he mumbled, “I just want to explain everything to you, I owe you that, at least…” 

You said nothing waiting for the door to open as he dialed a few other buttons, and a few more, and again...and again…”Um,” He cleared his throat a little, “Namjoon…? The door?” He asked, his eyes doe like as he stared at his companion who sighed, squeezing between you both as he also dialed a few numbers into the glowing pad. 

They both waited before Namjoon’s lips twisted into a sigh as if somehow expecting this to happen before he spoke, “Doors’ jammed...again…”

“This is fucking perfect.” Taehyung swore with a sigh, gritting his teeth as his eyes glared into you briefly, causing you to sheepishly back a little towards Jungkook, “I’m going back to my pod, I can’t deal with this.” He brooded before leaving as you looked between both aliens. 

“...Jammed? The door? As in…?” 

Jungkook’s lips twisted into a nervous smile, his marks glowing a light purple as he coughed, “Looks like we’ll have plenty of time to talk now…” Fuck! Why did things have to be this complicated, it could have been worse, but it was the same annoyance you had when Youtube played an unskippable ad, or when the lead in your pencil broke, a cookie falling onto the floor, that type of inconvenience.

Unshockingly Jungkook didn’t hold the same feeling as he spoke gently, “I can show you to my pod, it’ll be awhile before the door gets fixed…” He gave you an endearing apologetic smile. 

“...As long as you aren’t gonna try to knock me up then sure.” You stared at him in disdain, making him weakly smile as he stepped back up the metal stairs and if you didn’t know any better you would’ve assumed he was actually happy you were stuck with no other choice but to stay. 

“Once you see her to your pod, a word please Jungkook...” Namjoon’s gaze was fixed on the door quizzically as if already trying to deduce what had made it jammed, he made no effort to look back at you both but you could tell it was probably important. 

Jungkook only nodded eagerly and kept your hand in his as he lead you down the small the hallway, lights flickering and while you were anything but an engineer or mechanic, it wasn’t hard to tell they had crash landed, Jungkook ignored the mess against the walls as he typed in something before a door slid open revealing what you assumed was his room, the door slid shut behind you making you jump a little as you investigated the space. It was a minimalistic room, a few trinkets laid around and a messy bed was against the wall.

“You can sleep if you want...I know you were tired when I woke you up…” Jungkook’s marks glowed a soft pink as he bashfully looked at the ground, scratching his cheek as if he didn’t know what to say, “I um...I should go speak to my brother.” 

Before you could even say anything Jungkook had already left looking somewhat sheepish, leaving you to curiously look around the room, it was spacious and in tones of deep brown and black, a few gadgets laying around on his nightstand as you tilted your head. 

His pod...so basically...a bedroom. You assumed as much as you couldn’t really make a distinct difference between the two. True you could’ve slept like he had suggested, you were exhausted but too wired to even think about sleeping at the moment due to how bizarre of circumstances you were in. You were in an alien’s bedroom, on a space ship...

You had took your time browsing around the room, curiously holding a few trinkets in an attempt to figure out what they were, time passed slowly and for a while, you began to wonder if this was just a set up for them to butt probe you like Jimin had original thought they would. Not that you would mind as much as him but- besides the point, the longer you were left with your thoughts, the more that piled up.

When the door abruptly opened you nearly jumped out of your skin, hurriedly setting down what looked like a portable flame thrower before whirling around, Jungkook looked a little timid as he smiled, “I’m sorry that took so long...Um...” He closed the door gently before he gestured, “Please, go ahead and rest, from my understanding...um...humans have a standard sleep cycle yes?” 

You didn’t fully understand what he was asking besides if you slept at night, rubbing your neck you did as he gestured, taking a seat on the bed before you jumped a little as it did not feel like a normal bed, “Uh I guess...? Why...why didn’t you just leave? You...didn’t have to wake me.” You mumbled, scooping your feet up as you laid down, shifting a little as you tried to get comfortable.

The bed felt almost like a marshmallow, something in between water and memory foam as the bed moved in slow, lapping waves as you attempted to get comfortable again with a pout tugging on your lips. 

Jungkook watched you with endearment before he laid on the bed next to you, “You have to stop moving, coranium matches the pattern of your body to keep everything aligned and slowly adjusts to the movement of your body throughout your sleep duration.” 

You rolled onto your side to look at him as you curled up a little, his marks still a light pink and his smile a little shy as he spoke, “To answer your question I mean...I feel like it should be obvious, I want to make my bond with you so it was natural I wanted to take you with me. I don’t know Earth well enough to confidently navigate it on my own without getting lost. I couldn’t risk leaving you and then being unable to find my way back. As well as I knew I’d be able to learn English fast in the memoir chamber, so then we’d be able to talk…” he smiled a bit timidly, his eyes fondly washing over your face as you awkwardly scooted a little away from him. 

His eyes downcasting a little at the gesture as he frowned, and once again, even despite speaking english now it didn’t help his case in looking like a kicked puppy, “Well...am I supposed to know what a memoir chamber is? And….bonding and...literally everything you guys have said thus far?” 

Jungkook rested his chin on his hands as he hummed, thinking about your words carefully before he spoke, “The memoir chamber is in most Orionian ships, it helps us adapt to the planet around us and depending on what region we’re in, the language. Our kind carry human DNA- or...moreso the other way around, so inherently we know all Earth languages as they descended from Orionian dialect, but…” He scratched his cheek, marks glowing pink once more, “I had a difficult time studying earth languages in the academy. It’s unrealistic for us to know them all, so the Memoir serves as a rebrief to put in the language back into our minds.” 

God what were you in now? A shitty sy-fy film? You rolled onto your back as you said no more, thinking about his answer for a good long minute before you parted your lips only to shut them...Hold on one damn minute- did he just insinuate his kind created humans? Knowing all languages? What!? “I don’t even know how to unpack that sentence…” You muttered, staring up at the ceiling which twinkled in a galaxy of constellations and if you didn’t know any better you would’ve assumed it was an open glass ceiling to outer space.

It aligned with nebula’s and stars, planets for what looked like miles and miles. You could stare at it for hours in awe, how did you not notice that until now.

“I could only imagine being human, it’s a lot to take in,” Jungkook offered a gentle smile, “As for bonding…” He was pink all over as he scratched his cheek again, eyes fluttering away from yours almost shyly, “It’s what it sounds like, when we Orionian’s find a person who we like and want to share our life with, we begin a bond, and it takes awhile for the bond to grow but once it’s finished, we’d complete it with a mating cycle, and then...We’re celestially bond together.” He mumbled a little shyly, his eyes looked like stars twinkling as he talked about it, almost in a dreamy fashion. 

“....” You couldn’t even find the words to say anything before you muttered, “You’ve known me for a day…” True Jungkook was cute, but all of this stuff about bonding and space really made it difficult to grasp the concept in a way which wasn’t him basically proposing to you.

Jungkook looked as if he had been abruptly pulled from his little fantasy world as he frowned, propping himself on his forearm as he spoke, “Time is only a concept for Orionian’s, when we know who our bond is meant for, we just know. It doesn’t matter if I’ve known you a day or your whole life, my feelings won’t change. I want us to bond.” His voice lowered a little, his eyes doe-like and filled with a sugary sweetness as he closed the gap between you both. 

You were speechless. Many times in your life you had felt this way, but genuinely, you had no words. An alien just professed his love to you within twenty four hours of knowing him all because...what…? You fed him twice? Let him sleep in your bed once? What had you possibly done for him to think you could be his...his wife!? 

“I’m not getting married, I- I mean I’m flattered! I am.” You sat up, once again, pulling away from him as he mirrored you, his lips jutting into an almost frustrated pout, “But like...I just turned twenty one this year....I’m hardly a person let alone wife material.”

“Bonding is hardly even close to the equivalent of human marriage,” Jungkook wrinkled his nose, almost a little endeared, he knew little of human marriage from the media he had watched when you weren’t present, and while humans had similar ideas of romance, it was hardly comparable, he spoke gently, “It’s far more special and permanent. Being bonded is…” He closed his eyes, a half dimpled smile on his lips as he hummed, “It’s like feeling like the universe has completely aligned on your behalf, and that the planets and stardust gifted you a celestial mate who would never turn their back on you, who would always dry your tears and heal you when you’re hurt. The bond extends past this lifetime and into the next and so forth.” 

“...You lost me at ‘more’ permanent…” For a woman with a whole baggage load of commitment issues Jungkook was really not selling this idea to you well, “Sorry but I think you got the wrong girl.” You could appreciate the bizarreness of this situation and admittedly you felt like you’d always have a superior ‘main character’ moment story to one up somebody with but this whole business about being stuck with someone for multiple lifetimes and having alien babies was really not something you could follow up with.

Jungkook looked severely hurt which made you do a double take, not quite anticipating such a pitiful reaction as his lips quivering and his eyes even looking somewhat glassy as he spoke, “O-oh...I see…” 

wow way to make you feel like an asshole. He had shuffled a little curling up against himself as if trying to make himself appear small as he looked away from you. Sighing you ran a hand through your hair, well fuck, what did you have to lose at this point in your life?

“...Jesus christ, okay...what...what does...you know…” you coughed a little, rubbing your neck as Jungkook’s doe eyes looked at you timidly before darting away when you met his gaze, “What does this bonding shit entail anyway?” 

Jungkook was incredibly attractive, there was no denying it and the worst that could happen would be things didn’t work and you just went back to normal non-tentacle men. Jungkook perked a little at your question, still seeming a bit reserved as he mumbled, “Well...bonding is a long process...it’s not something out of human fiction that just immediately happens. When a bond is first created it’s incredibly delicate, you have to be careful and make sure both partners dedicate time to strengthening the bond.”

Laying your head against your arms that were folded in front of you while listening intently you hummed, “And let’s say hypothetically, could the bond be broken?” 

Jungkook’s expression crumpled a little as he mumbled, “It can be severed, but the more strengthened the bond is, the more painful it’ll be for both partners. But yes, it is possible. I should also mention a bond is only possible unless both partners are in agreement and want it just as much as the other.” 

You hummed, thinking about his words, so technically it wasn’t really possible given both of you had different alignments right now, “Alright well, here on Earth we call it dating, which is a lot less intensive than that, so if you want me to do that then you’re gonna have to go by human standards first.” It was reasonable enough and a happy compromise.

You wouldn’t deny you felt a pull towards Jungkook, ever since he had arrived yesterday morning your life had been anything but normal and yet you embraced every twist and turn so far and...there was admittedly a secret giddy part of you that revelled in old childhood nostalgia that someone had actually fallen from the sky and would now show you a world of many possibilities outside of earth. 

The only thing holding you back was the logic and reason that your family held and pushed onto you at a young age, long gone were the days of staring up at the stars in hopes of seeing something supernatural and daydreaming during recess about being whisked off earth. You didn’t know how to connect with that childlike side of yourself anymore, it had been so long since you bothered with those thoughts that now that the opportunity was presented to you, you genuinely didn’t know how to react.

Jungkook had immediately perked up his brows raised and immediate interest in his expression, “I’ll do it! If it means winning your affection,” his smile was a little toothy and innocent as he spoke, “How do humans date? What do they do?” He tilted his head in curiosity while waiting excitedly for your reply.

You couldn’t help but smile a little at how enthusiastic he was, “Well…” you drew a breath in thought, “It’s not too different then it is from now, we’ll go out to eat together, get to know each other, stuff like that.” 

Jungkook deflated a little, confusion in his eyes as he frowned, “But that’s stuff we do now...as...friends…” his frown furthered on his lips, “What sets friends and dating apart if we do the same thing…?” 

You rubbed your neck, beginning to get a little flustered at his question as you shifted a little, mumbling, “Well the difference is friends are strictly platonic, dating someone means you’re interested in them romantically and...you know...we hold hands...or cuddle or...I don’t know romantic shit…Stuff friends don’t do.” 

When did Jungkook get closer to you? His head tilted in curiosity as he spoke, “...And? Is that it? I’m sorry,” he apologized a bit bashfully, looking rather pink, “I’m trying to discern possible differences in boundaries set between a regular human relationship compared to Orionian’s…I don’t want to do anything that might make you...uncomfortable…” 

You stared at him for a good moment, as if trying to discern whatever he was trying to say without actually saying it, “Well...I’m not sure how different it can be…” Jungkook said nothing, fidgeting a little as you looked at him for a long moment, “...I’d tell you if you made me uncomfortable.” Was this...going where you thought it was going? 

Jungkook shuffled a little closer, his nose nearly brushing yours and his lips that looked so soft jutted into a slight pout, his eyes could hardly meet yours as he timidly asked, “...How...intimate are humans in their relationships?” 

Your face felt like it was on fire though as you muttered with raised brows, “Uh pretty hands on...if you wanna fuck me you can just ask.” You looked up at him, feeling a bit bold given he was a little more on the shy side, you could tell just him asking that had obviously taken a lot of courage on his part.

Jungkook’s marks had suddenly filtered from baby pink to a deep maroon, his face looked nothing except shy and a bit hazy as he mumbled, “Would you let me…? I don’t...exactly share the same anatomy as your male counterpart...Orionian’s...intimacy looks a bit different.” 

You felt intrigued and horny at the same time, it was tentacles wasn’t it? Please god let it be the tentacles, “You can’t threaten me with a good time,” you laughed a little, trying to take a little bit of the nervous edge off Jungkook as you offered a small smile, “Just show me, I’m...what other humans would consider pretty kinky. Doubt it’ll scare me off.” You couldn’t admit that his tentacles were immediately making your panties soaked because god did you want to be filled up like a scared hentai girl right now.

You squeaked at Jungkook suddenly climbing on top of you, his eyes hazy and he pulled the sweatshirt over his head, revealing the strip of glowing maroon that led up the center of his arms and wrapped over his shoulders, his tentacles suddenly emerging from his back much to your horny excitement, “Our tendons are both are strongest and weakest point of our body.” Jungkook mumbled against your neck, the feeling of something extremely foreign wrapping around your thigh, almost something between like a soft silicon and jello substance. 

Not sticky like you had anticipated, but soft enough that it could be almost considered wet, “They protect us but they’re also what we use to procreate with, if they’re cut off or majorly damaged, we become sterilized. My eggs…” He suddenly became a bit timid as he mumbled, “They aren’t fertile yet...But regardless I wouldn’t fill you unless we were bonded, so you won’t have to worry about impregnation. Intimacy is still an act of strengthening a bond though, so it’s utilized a lot at the beginning of an Orionian relationship.”

You weren’t fully paying attention at this point, too busy nearly drooling at the feeling of his tendon slithering along your clothes, “I can understand if you’d prefer to not do this though.” Jungkook seemed somewhat embarrassed and timid, his tendons slithering around your pajama band but doing nothing further.

“No!” He nearly jumped  at how you almost yelled it, your eyes frantic and you were nearly dripping at how horny you were, your voice needy as you whined, “I’m literally a slut Jungkook, I’m more than happy to experiment.” 

Jungkook didn’t need anymore confirmation then just that, his tentacle that had been playing with the band of your pajamas immediately pushing underneath it as you whined, your legs immediately parting for it as it ran up your panties, the soft wetness that ebbed from it soaking whatever was dry of your panties, was this arousal of his own? He moaned softly as he pressed his face into your neck, “I know you feel this is fast, but Orionian’s tend to not like to waste time.” His tentacles slid along your panties before pushing inside the band.

Your lips parted at the soft wet sensation of it gently prodding along your clit in exploration making a yelp escape you.

Jungkook jolted a little in concern as he looked down at you, somewhat shyly and his cheeks were a deep maroon much like his marks, “Keep…! Fuck!” You whined at the way his tentacles as if testingly flicked along your clit, another tentacle which had been floating behind him absently had suddenly emerged forward, making quick work of your pajamas and panties as the other continued working along your clit making you whimper as your back arched a little. 

The second tendon slowly brushed along your soaked cunt, embarrassingly wet sounds could be heard throughout the room as Jungkook moaned in contentment, “This feels so nice,” he mumbled with a whine, the second tentacle which had been stroking you slowly wiggled against your entrance making you squeak. Your horniness couldn’t be put into words at how bad you wanted this man to shove all tentacles inside you.

Your lips immediately parting at the tip of the tentacle pushing inside you, it was too soft to be considered that of a toy or dildo but too firm to be anything foreign, you couldn’t resist propping yourself up onto your elbows, your legs spread as you looked down, your face twisting and cheeks throbbing at the lewd sight of two tentacles hard at work on your cunt, one continuously flicking your clit and rubbing along it while the other began to testingly thrust inside you. 

Your lips dropped open as you moaned feeling Jungkook push it further and further inside you before giving it a testing wiggle, a scream nearly ripped from your throat at how it hit all the right spots.

Unable to even support yourself as you dropped back down with a whine as Jungkook quickly began to pick up the pace even more, “Fuck,” he moaned softly, the tentacle pulsed and throbbed as it squished and wiggled while being thrusted back and forth in short motions, your cunt was so tight and your walls kept trapping him further and further inside you as you whined, “Mm, females of my kind don’t have anything like this,” he moaned two more tentacles had suddenly appeared from his back, one pinning your wrists above your head and the other wandering to your flimsy shirt before pushing underneath it, and much to his delight Jungkook found nothing underneath except your soft breasts, “Nothing this- mmm, fuck,” it came out more of a whine this time as you felt his tentacles wiggling in delight at the way your cunt clenched around him, “small, and warm...Fuck,” Jungkook dipped his head, running a hand through his hair, the third tendon wrapped around your nipple making you whimper, jolting as your cunt squeezed around the tentacle that was beginning to roughly split apart your walls as it discovered your g-spot, your mouth parting as whined spilled from your lips at the insane feeling of the tip of his tentacles flicking up against it rapidly.

“Ah! Fuck fuck fuck, Jungkook!” You whined as your back arched, your eyes nearly rolling to the back of your head at how many sensations were going on, between him finding the sweet spot of your clit, the tip of his tentacle flicking up into your g-spot the other one squeezing with just the right amount of pressure on your nipple. 

Jungkook’s lips parted and his eyes were hazy but in awe at the way your body contorted, your small little walls nearly entrapping his tentacle as you came harshly, whined and whimpers escaping you as he forcefully kept flicking up into your g-spot, his other rubbing gently against your clit as your body frantically moved, yet your hips kept thrusting up to try and take more of his tendon as you whined, “Fuck…! Jungkook! Ah..!” Jungkook moaned softly as he gave you just what you wanted, pushing himself further inside you until he was dangerously close to your cervix.

His tentacle was soft enough that no pain was even involved as he kept wiggling it into you, soundless moans escaped you as your cunt began wrapping convulsing around him, your clit burning in pleasure due to sensitivity as he kept letting the soft tendon rub against the tender bud.

“Fuck!” You whined, liquid suddenly spewing from your cunt much to Jungkook’s surprise, his tentacle had immediately restricted at the feeling leaving your cunt feeling empty and tears nearly escaping yours eyes in frustration due to it despite his second tendon continually abusing your clits sweet spot, within the second the first tentacle entered your once more pushing with no hesitation right back to its original position as Jungkook began wiggling once again with short thrusts. 

Your walls kept squeezing around him causing him to moan as he whined, “You- you need to stop doing that...feels too good.” He mumbled shyly against your skin as you nearly convulsed in pleasure at the way his third tendon was wrapped around your nipple, giving the bit of pressure that had your cunt squeezing around his tentacle, too busy in your own pleasure to care about what he wanted, your hand wrapped around his throat making his eyes widen and his lips part submissively, “I’m gonna keep doing what I want baby- fuck...I think you like it when my little cunt squeezes around it.” You purposely clenched around his tentacle and you could physically feel it throb inside you.

Jungkook’s lips trembled a little a moan escaped him at your hand squeezing lightly around his throat his tentacle immediately fucking you even faster in comply as your lips parted in glee, your hips rolling a little to slide along the slick thick tendon, “Thats right baby boy, I bet you’ve never felt a cunt like this before huh?” You let out a shaky cackle as your hand sadistically squeezed harder around his neck. 

His gaze dropped and he only whined, quickly crumbling to your dominant hands that only excited you further, it was one thing to cross off your bucket list getting fucked by an alien, it was two being able to dom one, “Oh am I suddenly in control now?” You mockingly pouted before a twisted smirk curled on your face at how Jungkook wouldn’t meet your eyes any longer.

Power was practically leaking in your veins, you were getting fucked by a tentacle alien and he was a shy little sub? Your squeezed harsher around his neck, a whiney moan suddenly escaping him as his tentacle harshly pulsed inside you before it frozen, his face buried into your neck, impatient and now knowing you could boss him around freely your hips lifted, squelching and slipping around the tendon with ease as his lips trembled against your neck, “Mmm! P-please! You have to slow down…” he whimpered a little at how cruel you were being with him. 

You could care less in this moment though, too busy living out your dream fantasy bucking your hips against the soft subtle material, your cunt squeezing around him as you moaned softly.

Your moan twisted to a growl at the feeling of his tentacle pausing in your clit, your hand finding his hair as you harshly balled it into your hand, “I didn’t give you permission to stop.” Jungkook’s gaze lowered and his eyes a little watery despite the angry pout on his face.

“You aren’t listening to me.” He mumbled stubbornly and your lips twitched, outwardly showing displeasure but inwardly seeking the chase he was trying to give. Jungkook fumbled with you had pushed away, briefly his tendons pulled away in semi surprise, at first assuming you had taken his shy words the wrong way but he was quickly mistaken when he was shoved onto the bed, a whine escaping him as the tentacles quickly adjusted to be semi flattened. His lips were quivering at the sight of your naked body straddling him and your hand on his jaw, “Truthfully, I don’t think you want me to listen baby.” You pouted mockingly, the feeling of his stretched tentacles seekingly wrapping around your thighs, “Open.” 

Jungkook’s lips parted a little, his eyes watering and looking a little confused at your words, but you had took advantage of the opportunity, spitting into his mouth as he suddenly whined, his ears bright red following along with the magenta color coursing through his body as your hand wrapped around his throat in a firm grip, “Good boy.” You smiled loosely, wiping a stray bit of saliva from his lip as he whined, a tentacle beginning to stroke against your soaked cunt once more but this time he did nothing except in hopes of an invitation.

“Such a good boy, go on, I know you want to.” You cooed out, your head hanging a little and your lips parting at the feeling of the tentacle plunging back inside your warm walls with a loud squelch, “Stay still.” You commanded sharply and with a noisy whine from Jungkook as he obediently listened, you could feel the foreign tendon inside you pulsing still as if it nearly killed him to do so. Your hips steadily began to move along the tentacle, your cunt clenching around it as you took more of him it only got fatter and thicker the more you took. 

“Ahh, fuck. That’s it baby, c’mon keep filling me up. I know you want to. I can see it in your face.” You taunted, feeling his tentacle doing a test wiggle inside you as you slid along it, arousal coating him as he whined, you had a great view of his other tentacles sliding from under his back and extending upward, the second quickly made way for your clit much to your excitement, your lips parted and a whine escaping you as it kept rubbing into your sweet spot it had previously discovered. 

You were too busy trembling and moaning, attempting to fight off another orgasm at the feeling of your clit almost feeling like it was being ate out at how soft the tip of his tentacle was gently lapping against it and a soft wet arousal of his own leaking from the tip, you had bounced against his tendon in short motions, craving all of him inside you as your body began to convulse, your hands balling against his chest with a whine at how difficult it was to stop yourself from cumming immediately.

Jungkook wasn’t letting go without a fight though, a third tentacle had surprised you, pushing between the cheeks of your ass making you nearly gasp a whine, “Fuck! Fuck, please.” You mumbled in a moment of weakness, giving your consent that you’d like to trust he’d be able to make this feel good. Jungkook didn’t hesitate for a second, the tentacle oozed a slippery liquid, his own arousal along your puckered rim. You were almost too fucked out to even pay attention, your body busy still riding him and trying to focus on anything but the feeling of the slippery tentacle flicking at your clit and finding nearly every pleasurable nerve physically possible. 

It was difficult to miss the third one pushing slowly into your ass as your lips jumbled something nearly incomprehensible, your body collapsing semi against him, only being held up by your weak forearms, “Mmph! Fuck baby keep going, just like that. Such a good boy for me.” 

Jungkook squeaked out what sounded like a pleasant noise at the praise, perhaps sensing your body beginning to crumble as his tentacles took back over, quickly thrusting inside you once more and wiggling to his heart's pleasure as drool nearly dropped from your lips. Unable to even do anything or say anything with two tentacles plunged inside you. 

The tip of the tentacle was just narrow enough to slip inside your ass with a gentle sting but pleasurable enough to make your toes curl and whines escape you at the feeling of the force of his thrusts on either side of your body. His second was still lapping up around your clit, finding that perfect spot that nearly made your vision go white and you weren’t sure what escaped your throat other than possibly the best orgasm you would ever experience in your life. 

And it didn’t stop after a second, it just kept going with his tentacles drilling inside you and lapping around your delicate hyper sensitive clit as you whined and cried against him. Jungkook moaned softly as you felt what potentially might have been a second tentacle greedily pushing inside your cunt, whimpers escaping you at how harshly he was thrusting up inside you and how stretched your body was. 

Your mouth parting at the feeling of the forth tentacle pushing its way to meet the first as you squeaked and whined against him, a tentacle wrapping around your waist to hold up your lower body that nearly collapsed as your vision blurred with tears at how hard you were being fucked. Jungkook’s eyes were shut tightly and his hands had finally grabbed your waist as extra support as his third tentacle wiggled its way further into your ass. The pleasurable sting becoming more and more noticeable as you cried out at the feeling of one tentacle flicking up against your g-spot and the other harshly thrusting into you while your clit was hypersensitive at the feeling of being rubbed and flicked. 

Your last orgasm couldn’t even compete with this one as you cried out, body convulsing and cunt tightening as you nearly scrambled almost looking possessed to the unknown eye, your body had clenched up so hard at being so filled you hadn’t even heard the sharp whine from Jungkook. Hot liquid suddenly spurted everywhere the majority of it inside you but some getting on you, over the bed, everywhere. 

Jungkook whimpered and whined, digging his face into your neck and his tentacles were pulsing sharply as if literally pumping out every drop of liquid they could inside you. You were so fucked out you could hardly even ask what in the actual hell he just injected inside you. You had already been tired before but your body was burning and aching, feeling as if you had literally been ripped to pieces. 

At least you finally got a piece of that tentacle action.

You were not someone that fucked and then immediately slept afterwards, typically after a one night stand, depending on your relation with the person you would either ghost them by pretending to go to the bathroom, talk and hang out afterwards, or go get something to eat together, or by yourself, you weren’t picky.

Rubbing your blurry eyes you yawned, your body aching with even the slightest movement, Jungkook was the first man who had ever fucked you so hard, you had little to no choice but to fall asleep afterwards, you probably couldn’t even stand if you wanted too. He was curled up against your chest at the moment, his head pressed into your breasts looking way too content at the moment. 

Your eyes trailed down at his fluffy raven hair before down the warm tawny skin of his back, something in your chest stirring, it felt like it was almost physically tugging you closer to his body, your hand finding its way to his hair making him stir a little. Jungkook’s arms wiggled against your waist to make himself comfortable once more before relaxed with a content sigh. 

The marks on his back glowed a sentient purple, you had never gotten a good look at his back before. 

And while this wasn’t that great of a position to view, you were still curious with what you could see, they formed two long strips down his back widening a fair bit and they stopped just at the smallest part of his waist. If you didn’t know any better you would’ve remarked that it looked like he had wings ripped from his back.

As morbid as it sounded, and that is of course if they glowed like this. Jungkook really was the prettiest thing you had ever seen, your hand hadn’t even meant to pull from his hair down his neck, you couldn’t help the tug in your chest wanting to touch.

However the moment your fingers grazed over the mark that covered his left shoulder blade Jungkook nearly flew out of your arms making you jolt in just as much surprise as him, his lips parted and he had sat up, gaze sharp as he looked around as if for any possible intruders. Slowly as he woke up though he came to the realization it was just you and him, your smile becoming somewhat sheepish as you mumbled, “Um, sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.” You cleared your throat feeling bad now, was it just that sensitive? You might not know much about Orionian’s but you could take a guess and assume that was the opening to where his tentacles laid dormant, and given they were also how they procreated...It was natural Jungkook was probably a little defensive about them being touched. 

Jungkook said nothing though, only staring at you for a long moment before he whined a little, suddenly crawling back up to you before collapsing on top of you as you huffed, “You can’t startle me like that, my scaling is sensitive.” He mumbled a little shy, grabbing your hand as he placed it back on top of his head obviously wanting affection. 

Your fingers dug back into his scalp making a pleasant noise escape him as his body relaxed once more, “...Scaling?” Your brows furrowed at his words, complying with his silent demand to have his hair played with as he curled up against you, his lips tugged into a smile as he rested his face between your breast. 

“Yeah, my scales.” Jungkook nodded as he held up his arm, pointing at the glowing marks making you frown, that...looked nothing like scales....Jungkook smiled a little as he rested back down while explaining, “There filled with hyper plasma so depending on the hormonal chemistry of my body will change colors.” You got that part, even before he could speak English, but still...when you thought of scales, you thought of stuff like fish and...scaly things. Not aliens. 

Jungkook only smiled happily as he looked up at you, it looked like thousands of stars twinkling in his eyes and the dim lights reflected off his iridescent skin, little tones of purple and blue could be spotted as he lifted his hand up to cup your cheek, his fingers carefully trailing down your jawline. There was a wave in your chest, something strong like...the only thing you could describe was pure happiness, “Hey what did you blow inside?” You hadn’t even meant to ask that question but it had abruptly crossed your mind. 

Jungkook’s gaze faltered a little, his scales suddenly turning bright pink and his bashfully lowered his gaze, pressing his cheek on your chest as he mumbled, “It was just plasma, it’s what helps carry eggs when they’re released but...I already told you...my eggs aren’t ready yet. You have no possible chance of getting pregnant without my prior knowledge.” 

His fingers tethered against your stomach as if saddened at the idea that his future kin weren’t in your stomach, a wave of sadness fleeting inside your chest briefly as you frowned, why did you feel so odd? You weren’t even the least bit sad about not being pregnant. 

“Okay...good I was just..wondering since…” You coughed a little, not finishing your sentence which you were originally going to say because he used you like an actual cum dump- not that you minded. But still. It was good to know. Jungkook said no more, only burying into your chest with a pouty whine. 

Yawning you stretched out looking around before grabbing your phone which had somehow made it alive on your night stand, your notifications flooded with Jimin’s drunk texting on where you went last night and why you weren’t home...Wait, your eyes darted to the time, it was noon?! You had a lecture in half an hour! 

“Fuck! I have to get to class!” You immediately jolted up making Jungkook whine as he was jostled onto the bed as you limped along in search of your clothes, your body aching and resisting with each fumble before you nearly collapsed out of fatigue while grabbing your panties. 

“Can’t you just stay? Just for a little longer?” Jungkook mumbled, his lips in a large puppy like pout as he held out his hand to you, something stirring in your chest that wanted to just curl back up against him, his eyes doe like and soft, almost pleading for you to cuddle back up against him. 

“I have midterms coming up Jungkook, I really can’t afford to skip class.” You offered an apologetic smile, “Besides it’s not like we can’t go get something to eat later or anything.” Pulling your pants up you wobbled to the door, frowning as you pulled your sweatshirt back over your head, where was the door handle…?

“..B-but!” Jungkook fumbled as he pulled his shirt over his head before hurrying over to you, “Just five more minutes? Or two? Please…!” There was something urgent in his voice as his lips trembled as if he would be devastated if you left. 

Examining the door your lips parted as you pushed the button on the wall, jolting a little as the door slid open, “Jungkook,” You paused briefly, feeling a dull ache in your chest, a brief desire to do as pleaded as you looked up at him, “I really have to go to class okay? I’ll drop by later when I’m finished for the day I’m sure you...have stuff you need to talk about with your...um...kin…” You raised your brow a little awkwardly before you back walking down the hallway, something inside the back of your head almost tempted to stay with him. 

He looked so panicked and whiny, it made you feel bad for having to go, and furthermore you secretly wished you could stay longer but you couldn’t afford to miss class with midterms so close. 

If your memory was correct this should lead to…! Aha, you felt victorious at the sight of the main, living area?  The circular table was towards the smaller three step ledge that went up into the control room and the purple bonsai-like plant which had just been freshly pruned sat delicately on the other side of the room. 

“No! I....Can I come with you then? And then we can come back here together later?” Jungkook pleaded, his lips trembling and his eyes almost watery as you paused with a sigh, he was really tugging on your heart strings huh...It was almost easier to deny him back when he was unable to actually speak his wants to you. 

“Jungkook I- I mean I guess you could…? But like, it’s just lecture, it’s boring, I have to be focused the whole time and no offense but...I feel like if you came I wouldn’t focus.” You pulled a little away from him with an awkward smile while silently hoping the door had been fixed. 

“Morning you two,” You turned around at the sight of Namjoon appearing from the large opening of the control room Taehyung who still looked sour following after him only to lean against the wall with crossed arms, Namjoon stepped down the three steps as he offered a polite smile, “I hope you slept well, I’m sure it’s a lot different compared to human dorms.” 

You looked away from Namjoon unable to speak at the question of having slept well, you hardly slept half the night after getting your back blown out, but he was right, it was nothing like human- in any aspect whatsoever, whether it was the bed or who you got fucked by last night. 

“It was fine...um the door....Is it fixed?” You pointed your thumb behind your shoulder as you offered a weak smile. 

Namjoon nodded stepping closer before he abruptly paused, his brows furrowing before he looked between you and Jungkook without so much as a word, it made you somewhat self conscious as you shuffled in your spot at nobody volunteering to get the door open, “Yeah, it’s fixed, umm…” His smile was a little tense before he looked between you and Jungkook, “Are you both going out? Already?” 

Jungkook refused to look his elder in the eyes, his lips plush and pouty, hair dusting over his eyes as he shuffled in his spot refusing to answer whatever unasked question his elder had, “Uh yeah, I’m going to class, Jungkook can stay here though, I’ll be back later.” You shrugged, not understanding what their problem was. 

Taehyung had not interjected into the conversation yet, his dark hair brushing over his eyes only in the opposite effect of Jungkook, making him look as if he had a death warrant with your name on it, “And leave Jungkook alone?” He gritted his teeth looking like he was ready to snarl at you, your lips quirked a little and your brow lifted in confusion, wasn’t that typically what people meant when they said they had to leave…? 

“Uh yeah, and I’ll come back…?” You trailed off, making it sound more like a question then a statement before Taehyung suddenly pushed off the wall, his walk was by no means in any hurry, but his shoulders were squared and his steps were paced with determination that had you taking a step back at the sight of him not stopping until he was right in front of you. 

The energy of the room had gone tense before Taehyung snarled, “You bonded with my little brother and now you’re going to leave him!?” 

You shrieked at suddenly being shoved against the wall, your ribs throbbing in pain as Taehyung’s hand wrapped around your throat, crushing your windpipe as you gagged, “Humans really are pathetic selfish people.” Tentacles suddenly wrapped around Taehyung’s hand before he was ripped away from you, hot red scales were a blur as Jungkook stood in front of you protectively. 

Your hands rubbing your sore throat as you leaned against the wall gasping for air, “Stay out of this!” Jungkook growled, his lips twitching and his eyes burning into his brothers, “This doesn’t involve you, let me sort it out and if you ever fucking touch my mate like that again I won’t hesitate to rip your eggs straight out of your utaria.” 

You jolted at the sight of Taehyung lashing out at Jungkook, both of them slamming into the wall near the hallway as they grappled and yet you could only stare in shock at what had just happened and what you had just heard. Namjoon was immediately between them both separating the two as he growled, “Taehyung that wasn’t necessary! I doubt she even realizes what happened!” Namjoon immediately twisted towards Jungkook with a scowl, “And you! What did I tell you last night?” 

Jungkook’s jaw was clenched, his scales a hot burning red that matched Taehyung’s and yet his eyes couldn’t meet Namjoon’s, his lips twitching a little as he glared into the wall, his expression slowly melting as Namjoon snapped, “What did I tell you!? Why can’t you two ever listen for once? If you had we probably wouldn’t even be stuck on Earth right now! This is your mess Jungkook, I told you it wasn’t a good idea to bond this early on in our stay on Earth.” 

Jungkook’s expression had turned neutral but something in his eyes still seemed bitter as he stared at the ground now, perhaps too scared to look up at you, who had backed away from all the men in shock. You...but...Jungkook said…The silence set in and slowly each brother turned their gaze towards you before Jungkook was the last, his face filled with remorse at your expression as your lips parted, “You…! You told me-” Your lips parted variously before you finally forced out a sentence, “You lied to me!” 

“I didn’t!” Jungkook immediately hurried over to you, his expression filled with guilt and desperation, “I- Y/n I wasn’t even aware we had bonded until Taehyung pointed it out! I’m sorry I had no idea I…!” All you heard was excuse after excuse though, something indescribable filled your chest and your vision blurred in anger. 

“I’m going! I can’t…! I can’t even look at you right now Jungkook!” Upset felt like it had magnified tenfold in your chest as you rushed down the metal stairs, punching against the button before the door opened, your throat felt squeezed and like you were suffocating as you ran as far and fast as your legs could take you. What was happening to you? 

“I’m fine…” 

Jimin and Seokjin exchanged glances, light poured in from the opened door behind them of your bedroom, the blanket wrapped around your body has you held it up above your nose, “Uh don’t lie bitch,” Jimin quirked a brow, his lips twitching in anger at just the sight of you trying to tell such an obvious lie, “It’s been three days since...whatever happened with JK- “Jungkook,” “I don’t give a fuck what his name is, you’ve been a recluse ever since, what happened?” 

Just the mention of Jungkook’s name made your chest physically ache as you curled further into yourself, you weren’t in physical pain, you couldn’t even fully describe it. 

All of your feelings just felt so amplified, like they swirled at just the surface of your chest and ready to burst out at any given moment. It felt like a physical string around your heart that squeezed and tugged harder and harder that left you in a depressed state with no energy left to do anything except what you had been doing.

Weakly sleeping half the time or scrolling on your phone in a useless attempt to think about anything other than Jungkook. You couldn’t even understand how you felt so attached to him and how much your body ached to just be wrapped up in his arms, but you were still so upset at what had happened. 

Questions swirled in your mind and to which you didn’t have the answer too and it made you even more upset that you wouldn’t get answers unless you went back, “Y/n, we’re just worried.” Seokjin raised his brows, his expression apprehensive but softened at the weak state you were in, “You haven’t been out of your room ever since the morning after the party. Midterms are just around the corner, I doubt you slack off for a shit reason.” 

You only curled up further before you sighed, closing your eyes as you finally caved in and mumbled an explanation as to what had happened and what you were now suffering under. Seokjin seemed more calm but Jimin’s lips were twitching in anger as he scowled, “You’re joking! Well let’s just go and demand he cut whatever alien ties he has on you.” 

You knew he was just trying to help but you only shook your head, “...Taehyung said I was the one that had apparently formed the bond, I didn’t even know that was possible.” You mumbled, you buried into your pillow, a feeling of guilt building into your chest as you tried to forget the ghost image of Jungkook’s hurt eyes in your mind. 

“Well it’s obviously affecting you mentally and physically, I mean seriously, you haven’t showered in days, you aren’t eating, Y/n…” Seokjin kneeled down, a frown on his face, “You need to swallow your pride, as stubborn as you are, and go talk to Jungkook about this. We’ll come with you, you probably won’t even have the energy to get there, but he’s the only one who can help.”

You managed to roll over to your side, your back facing them both now as you pulled the blanket over your head, you didn’t want to face Jungkook again, you weren’t sure you were ready to. You had so many mixed feelings and you weren’t even sure what to begin on asking questions. 

Neither said anymore before you heard Seokjin reluctantly sigh, “I’ll leave it for tonight, but tomorrow morning you’re giving us directions and we’re going to get this sorted.” They both left shortly after and closed the door sinking the room back into a depth of darkness. A heavy weight back on your chest and sudden ache filling you as you curled up, a dull sense of urgency inside you but you couldn’t distinguish what for. It felt like you needed to cry even despite not feeling sad, but maybe as a way to just release this energy.

But you didn’t do anything besides lay on your back, staring up at the ceiling as you sighed, trying to ignore the dull ache of your head, what a shit show. If you had known what your life would come to by just trying to be a good person, you would’ve left him in that ditch. ----

It felt like your body was being dragged through the mud, through the fire and hell maybe even gitting shit on at this point, “This is so stupid.” You mumbled, curled up in your hoodie as you hugged your knees into your chest in the back of Seokjin’s car. 

“You’re the one that fucked an alien,” Jimin snorted, twisting in his seat as he cocked a brow, “Which, what possessed you to do that seriously? Your stupid little hentai fantasies?” He stared at you with a bizarre expression as you snorted weakly. 

“Yeah pretty much.” 

“Fucking knew it,” Jimin collapsed back in his seat, “We could get our assholes probed by aliens now because she couldn’t keep her panties on at the sight of a slimy tentacle.” He raised his hands dramatically and you could’ve sworn you heard Seokjin try to keep from laughing at you both. 

“They’ll probe you with their tentacles too, apparently they make their own lube home made so they’ll slide it right in no problem.” If you had the energy you would’ve died laughing at the way Jimin whipped around in his seat in horror. 

“No fucking way. You WILLINGLY let him do that to you?” 

You couldn’t stop the weak laugh escaping you as you leaned your head against the window, “I’m a slut.” You shrugged before you lifted your head a little, “Right there! It should be in the field. I think it has some sort of cloaking shield or something.” Seokjin pulled off on the old winding back road which looked familiar enough.

He hadn’t been going fast to begin with and you had already stopped twice and the two other fields had been empty so this one had to be it, and if it wasn’t then it was safe to say you broken Jungkook’s heart right in two and he and his other space fuckboy brothers left Earth for good. Which you hoped not because you felt like you were in a weird limbo between life and death at the moment. 

Stepping out of the car you paused as you heaved a breath, leaning against the car as you sighed, the energy feeling like it had been sucked straight out of your soul every passing minute. Jimin looked at you mildly concerned as you waved him off, slowly pushing yourself straight up as you wrapped your arms around yourself. 

The comforts of your hoodie keep you warm as you ignore the dull ache in your chest, Seokjin and Jimin both kept close as you all looked like idiots wandering around in an empty field. The empty field however, upon stepping forward had suddenly blurred before the familiar sight of the ship came into view. Seokjin and Jimin were dumbfounded at the sight as they both stared. 

You only trudged forward towards the door before you slammed your hand against the metal door, “Well? What are you both doing just standing there?” You asked with a furrowed brow.

“Well sorry I didn’t fuck an alien the first chance I got.” Jimin fumbled out with a huff as he hurried over along with Seokjin. 

The door had immediately been opened to a relieved looking Namjoon, his eyes briefly landing on Jimin and Seokjin warily as he spoke, “I’m glad you came back! Come on, hurry in.” He ushered you in, “...I’m assuming these are your...friends…?” 

“Best friends, roommates, the same guys that also allowed your little space fuckboy to stay with us.” Jimin growled out as he crossed his arms, standing as a big brother you never asked for as Seokjin snorted. 

“Chill,” He shoved Jimin a little who only grumbled under his breath before he spoke, “I’m Seokjin and that’s Jimin, we’re Y/n’s roommates we’re already uh...aware of what you guys are we just...we don’t know what’s going on, we just want Y/n to be okay.” 

Namjoon nodded slowly, still a little wary but it was to be expected, he said no more as he widened the latch for the three of you, “Y/n left right at the beginning stage of their bond when it’s imperative that the newly bonded couple stay together and establish a stable connection. If not, it becomes unstable and drains the life force out of both individuals causing a wide variety of ailments and illnesses to take over. It’s good you guys came back when you did, Jungkook is doing even worse sense he was the Si in the bond.” 

“What is she doing back here?” Your lips twitched a little at the snarl from Taehyung who had shot up from his seat at the table, his eyes glaring holes into you and honestly, if he could vaperize you into dust at the moment you were sure he probably would. 

“Here to break the little probe ass connection your fuckboy put on her,” Jimin snapped back unappreciative at someone talking this way to you especially in the condition you were in right now.

Taehyung’s lip twitched as he shot out of his seat, “My little brother may be naive but he had good intentions and she took advantage of his fragile state! He wasn’t in any sort of headspace to do anything!” You only curled away from Taehyung with mixed feelings, you wouldn’t necessarily describe Jungkook’s state of mind at the time, fragile as it was just horny. 

Namjoon sighed as he looked at Seokjin before at you and then the two feuding men who were practically glaring into one another, “Taehyung, don’t do anything irrational, I’m going to get Jungkook.” Namjoon disappeared and it was quiet inside the ship as a tension took over the room. 

You tried your best to ignore it as you slumped against the wall, listening to the whirling on the interior running. Not a minute later you heard a loud flutter of steps as you looked up, Jungkook’s hair had been ruffled and he had looked extraordinarily tired, his scales however were lit up a sky blue, his lips parted as if trying to figure out if you were real or not before he hurried to you. 

His arms wrapping around you and a small whimper escaping him as his nose rubbed into your neck, your face pressed into his chest with a sigh of relief, the dull ache in your chest fading quickly as you basked in the warmth of Jungkook’s arms. You had hugged many people in your life before and sure it was nice, but you couldn’t even describe the wash of comfort and love that radiated through your entire being at being curled up in this man’s arms. 

Jungkook’s nose nudged at your neck a little and buried himself into your embrace as his fingers fiddled with the thick material of your hoodie, “Jungkook,” Jungkook shuffled a little, his body practically wrapped around you as his eyes slowly looked up from his content figure to meet Namjoon’s gaze, “You both should go lay down and begin to properly set your bond together, I’m sure you’re both exhausted.” 

Jungkook nodded wordlessly, perhaps not trusting himself to speak as he began to lead you towards his pod, “Woah, wait hold on.” Jimin cut in only for a snarl like growl to escape Jungkook, tentacles suddenly shooting from his back protectively pulling towards the front of his body to create a barrier between you and any threat that might take you away from him. 

“Woah holy fuck!” Jimin nearly screeched, holding his hands up and freaking out a little at seeing a killer glare on such an innocent face, “We didn’t come here for this…! What, what do you mean, set a bond? I don’t want Y/n out of our sight…!” 

Jungkook’s lip twitched in annoyance as he set his chin on your shoulder, his arms tightening around your waist and you could see the red glow of his scales slowly deepening further into a dark maroon, he did not look happy. 

Namjoon put up a hand, offering a tense smile, “All that entails is them being together and being close, they need to stabilize their bond. Once it’s set they can figure out whether they want to...bond further or…” Namjoon didn’t finish his sentence, is eyes warily lingering on the younger’s expression which was sharp and annoyed, “...You get the idea, I would advise against stopping him, trying to separate them now when he just got her back….I can’t guarantee I’ll keep you both alive.” 

Jimin and Seokjin shared a wary glance before stepping aside, Jungkook’s gaze broody as he watched them sharply as he trudged you both forward, his tentacles still out and floating behind him now as if ready to strike on contact. The tension didn’t leave until you were back into his pod once more, the room having not been changed except for a lot more clutter accumulation- much like your own room. 

You hadn’t even had the chance to open your mouth before you were suddenly picking up, your legs wrapping around Jungkook as you squirmed, “Jungkook!” You squeaked out, his hands gripping your ass tightly but his face kept nudging into your neck as he whined,  the killer aura he had not seconds ago immediately disappearing, “Don’t ever do that again,” You were nearly crushed when you were dropped onto the bed before Jungkook collapsed on top of you, “Please.” Guilt nearly devoured your heart at the way Jungkook held back a sob, his voice pleading and cracked, “It’s not fair! You-! You can’t just do this to me then leave. Never again.” You felt warm substance dripping onto your skin and your heart was pounding in your chest. 

An innate need coursing through your veins to dry his tears as you did so, “I’m sorry! I’m sorry okay?” You whispered out, your hands cupping his cheeks, that iridescent glow on his skin and his eyes watery and big, “I’m just…! I was just scared, I didn’t know what was going on and I just thought I needed time to think. I had no idea what the effects were and what would happen if I left. I’m not going to leave okay? I won’t leave.” 

Jungkook only closed his eyes, tears falling down his cheeks and you couldn’t help but watch in a melancholy awe at an almost glittery substance filling his tears, making the stains on his skin glisten and glitter under the dark lights of his room, Jungkook said no more, perhaps not trusting himself too and only curled himself further against your as your hands soothingly ran through his hair as his body melted into yours. No words were further spoken between you both as you curled against him once more, your nose burying in his hair with the innate need to comfort him. 

Feelings were too intense and magnified, as if you could feel every speck of hurt and misery Jungkook had suffered without you and despite being cognitively aware you in any other case wouldn’t be like this, you still were. You didn’t understand what happened, or how it happened, but what you did know was that despite all of the uncertainty, Jungkook needed you. 

You weren’t sure how much time had passed, neither of you had talked for what seemed like hours, only staying close in one another's arms, and slow but surely, that unstable feeling in your chest was beginning to fade and was replaced by what you could only describe as a warm, bright thrum.

Both of you were awake, but Jungkook’s eyes looked far away, his face still laid against your chest as you tenderly stroked through his hair, “Jungkook,” He didn’t respond right away, shifting a little before those doe eyes looked up at you, his lips jutted into a soft pout that nearly broke your heart out of guilt, “What....what’s going on? I don’t understand anything.” Your fingers delicately traced his prominent cheekbones, his face immediately nuzzling into your hand as his eyes closed. 

Jungkook’s lips trembled only a little as he mumbled, “...I...I’m not sure...I told you before that in order for a bond to be created it has to be wanted between both parties involved,” His nose nudged your hand as you tenderly thumbed his cheek, “Wh-which means...even if it wasn’t a surface thought you still energetically reached out and initiated the bond making you the Fi and me the Si since I accepted without realizing.” 

His lips went pouty before he pressed his head back against your chest as you stared down at him mildly confused, perhaps realizing this he spoke further, “Fi and Si are considered sacred opposites, in a bond both people take on one or the other, the initiator the Fi and the receiver the Si, it makes sense you didn’t feel as much as I did, the Fi in the bond isn’t affected nearly as heavily as the Si is because you were the one who created the bond.”

You still didn’t quite understand other than this being a Yin and Yang equivalent with a dash of omegaverse on the side, but then again, if humans had descended from Orionian’s then the apple truly didn’t fall too far from the tree. 

“And...the Fi is what…? The more dominant one?” You quirked a brow, a smile threatening to tug on your lips as Jungkook looked up at you, an unfair pout of his face as he set his chin on your chest, leading you to believe there was some merit to your words. 

“Not exactly, it just means you were the one who established the bond, making you the one who, in more primal words, the caretaker. With newly bonded couples, it’s imperative that you be together for the first few days to stabilize the bond. Si tends to be more....” He shifted a little, his scales becoming pink as he buried into your chest, “...Clingy...and Fi tends to facilitate and care for Si while the bond stabilizes.”

Your hand made its way back to his hair as you tenderly combed through the soft silky locks as Jungkook’s relaxed back against you, practically melting into your touch as you hummed, “And...if it isn’t stabilized?” 

Jungkook shifted a little against you as he mumbled, “...Well, both people become....I don’t know how to truly describe, if a bond isn’t stabilized...it becomes difficult to distinguish your own feelings from your partners, and with the bond unstable it causes an emptiness to fill both which causes sadness and pain, but because feelings can be mutually felt, it magnifies those feelings tenfold...Until eventually….” Jungkook frowned as he shrugged a little timidly, “Both go insane, or end up commiting suicide out of despair. Si feels it a lot more intensely then Fi though because of being the one who was tethered into the bond rather than creating it.”

Oh…

You said nothing, feeling even worse now knowing what had happened and what you could have possibly caused, not only this but for Jungkook to suffer through so much all because you couldn’t just hear him out for less than five minutes, “Don’t blame yourself,” Jungkook sat up a little to look at you earnestly, as if knowing exactly what you felt despite not saying anything, “You don’t know anything about Orionian’s, I...I should’ve handled everything better then I did…” His gaze lowered looking a little glassy as he sighed, “Just...please never do that again.” He collapsed back against you with a quiet mumble, “I was miserable.” 

“I won’t baby.” You ushered softly, pressing your lips into his hair as he basked in your love, the silence taking over once more as you relaxed back down against him, intending on letting yourself fall asleep again before you felt a low rumble in your stomach, before you sighed...Well he did say since you were….Fi...that you were supposed to be a caretaker....?

“Hey, I’m starving...you want me to get us something to eat?” You sat up a little as Jungkook shifted beneath you with a whine, his cheeks puffing a little as he huffed, saying nothing but you had a suspicion that he was definitely hungry, “I’m getting us something to eat, what do you want babe?” You got out of bed making Jungkook scramble with another whine. 

He immediately latched himself to you as you sighed, “Then we’re going together. Do you guys even have human food here?” 

“We have plamatic barrettes.” Jungkook perked a little in excitement as you frowned. 

“Can...Are...are they edible for humans?” You raised a brow as you opened the door, doing an awkward waddle as Jungkook back hugged you, happily nuzzling into your neck before he frowned.

“Well...um…” He rubbed his head as you tutted, it wasn’t that you weren’t willing to try it but you were really craving some fries right now and whatever it was they ate, didn’t sound even close to a potato. 

“We can try it later babe, I brought my wallet so we can go get something to eat, if Jimin and Seokjin haven’t left it’ll be like a two minute drive.” You shrugged as you both entered the common space. 

“You both aren’t going anywhere.” Namjoon had been running around with Taehyung while Jimin and Seokjin were working frantically on...what looked like an engine box as the man turned around with a serious expression making you and Jungkook twist into concern, “The Arbitrators are here on Earth, which means we’re leaving.” 

You didn’t quite understand the gravity of the situation but...you had a feeling this wasn’t an ideal situation.

[rommahh]

Better

Word Count: 3.9K

Pairing: Buckybarnesxfem!reader

{This is for @metalbuckaroo's challenge. I had this brewing for a minute but college has got in a chokehold. I chose prompt #30 from the given prompt list. I hope y'all like this read. Love, R}

Bucky trailed behind Y/N as she ignored his calls. Her boots clicked loudly in the small hallway as she rushed towards their shared apartment. Her keys shook in her hand, body tense with anxiety and anger.

Bucky reached her at the door, his hands loosely gripping her arms. Y/N shoved the door open, her body snapping away from his. Y/N haphazardly throws her keys in the small bowl that sat on the hallway side table.

Her chest heaved with deep breaths as she tried to remain calm.

“Y/N please, what is going on? Why are you so mad?” Bucky questioned, slamming the door behind him as his own frustrations started to catch up with him.

“I'm going to bed.” Is all she said to him without even meeting his eyes. She was quick to enter her room and lock the door before he could say anymore. Bucky stood behind her door in confusion. His body still tingled with the lasting effects of the shots he took hours prior.

Sitting on your bed, Y/N finally released. Her shoulders dropped, her body hunching over itself as the tears started flowing.

Y/N had been looking for Bucky for what felt like hours. He was her ride back to the apartment and having been at this party for over four hours- she was exhausted. There was a twinge of disappointment that lingered in her caused by Bucky's disappearance. He invited her to this party tonight but quickly left her to her own devices the moment the both of them walked through the frat’s doors.

The house was mainly empty except for the few lingering bodies that were drunkenly wandering around. She climbed up the stairs that lead to a common room on the second floor. Y/N’s cute white go-go boots were tight on your feet, making her wince at every step. Fashion was a moment type thing, not a four hour long excursion.

Y/N heard a group of voices leading from the common room once you reached the top of the stairs. She listened out waiting to see if she could hear Bucky’s voice before walking through the doors of the common room.

“I don't know why you hang out with that girl Bucky.” Her ears perked at his name. Y/N almost walked through the door but she took a step back to listen to what they were saying.

“Yeah, shes fucking weird.” The group laughed. “I mean look at how she dressed tonight. She’s wearing a costume.”

Y/N looked down at her 80’s inspired dress with a frown. She thought she looked cute tonight, Bucky said she looked cute. She couldn't stop blushing after she heard his words.

“She’s a freak barnes. All she does is follow you around. Are you sure you guys aren't dating?” One of the boys asked with a chuckle. No one said her name yet but she knew they were talking about her. She could tell.

“Y/N’s not that bad. She just doesn't have any friends. I don't like her like that, not my type. She's got that weird anxiety thing.” Bucky's voice finally sounded out from the group. Y/N heart hurt hearing his words. Weird anxiety thing?

“Yeah, making her a freak. So you're just friends with her out of pity? Are you at least getting community service hours?” The group laughed again, Bucky's deep laugh standing out to Y/N.

“You have a lot of strength for a man who's not getting any ass from the girl he's keeping company with. Shes weird as fuck but her body is still bangin. Have you ever copped a feel of her tits? I would hang out with the loser if I got to fuck her too.” Someone commented. Y/N felt bile rise in her throat. She could feel a panic attack approaching having heard the sexual comments about her body. She stepped out from around the wall into the common room. All eyes snapped up to her, some eyes widening in shock. Bucky just looked up, not catching on that his roommate may have heard the horrid words said about her.

“I-im ready to go home, Bucky.” She hadn't looked up from where her feet were rooted on the stained wood floors. Bucky slowly wobbled up from his seat. The rest of the guys watching quietly, some snickering at Bucky's submissiveness.

“Here sweets, you're gonna have to drive.” Bucky says handing his keys over to Y/N. Without looking at him, she snatches the keys from his hands and quickly retreats to his car. Bucky stumbles behind her confused by her attitude.

Y/N walked to Bucky’s car, arms covering whatever they could cover on her body. Her mind telling her she was unsafe, her anxiety telling her even worse things.

Bucky eyes burned from the headache he had. He felt physically ill as he woke up from the living room couch. Last night's activities blur in his mind, no clear memories presenting themselves. He sits up to rest his forearms on his knees trying to calm his bubbling stomach.

The first thing he notices as he comes to his senses is the lack of Y/N’s noise. Normally the small apartment would be filled with the sounds of her sunday playlist as she cleans about. He also doesn't smell her extra dark and strong coffee that she only makes for sundays. He doesnt smell her out of the can cinnamon rolls either that she would normally wake him up with on a small tray with said coffee.

He finds it odd that her presence is lacking in the apartment. Standing, he makes his way over to her room knocking on it slightly. He hears shuffling from the other side but no one comes to open the door.

“Hey sweets, everything ok?” He knocks again to gain her attention.

“I-Im fine Bucky, please go away.” She stutters out to Bucky. Bucky is shocked by her statement not used to being pushed away by her.

“Oh ok, just let me know if you need anything.” He says quietly.

Y/N remained the same way over the next few days. She rarely came out of her room when she was in the apartment leaving Bucky on his own. She stopped making him meals out of kindness or filling up his canisters of water for workouts. She stopped baking him treats as midday pick me ups. She didnt wait for him to get out of classes so they could gossip about what was going on on campus. She didnt bother him at all.

Bucky felt uneasy about Y/N’s silence. He was hurt by her sudden disappearance. Hurt that she could just ghost him without any reason. But there was a reason, Bucky just didnt remember.

Y/N sluggishly walked into the apartment after taking an extensive exam in one of her classes. She tried to walk quietly throughout the apartment to not catch the attention of Bucky. She walks softly on her feet close to the opening of the kitchen.

“Hey.” A quiet voice makes Y/N jump in her spot. Her mission of going unnoticed failed. Bucky leans against the kitchen counter that is parallel to the opening of the kitchen. His feet are crossed in front of him, hands holding a cup of tea.

“Hi.” Her tone matches his. She turns her body to face his, hands fidgeting with each other. She slightly moved from foot to foot, a trait that had been acquired out of nerves. Bucky recognized her tic, his heart constricting at the thought that he might have done something to cause it.

“Y/N, please, what's going on?” Bucky can see that she's not wearing one of her normal outfits that are adorned in bright colors and fun patterns. Instead, her body is covered in a boring sweater that hides most of her body. She wears a large pair of jeans underneath, a belt tightly bounding it to her body.

“Nothing Bucky.” She dismisses. Bucky feels his anger peak. A range of emotion he tried to hide away breaching over its point. He missed his best friend beyond belief and all she could give was a few words.

“It's not nothing Y/N!” He snaps slamming his mug of tea on the counter. Y/N flinches at the sound. Her hands start to shake, not out of fear of Bucky but from unwarranted anxiousness. “I've given you your space but its killing me. I miss you Y/N. I dont get what happened?”

Y/N feels her eyes well up with tears.

“You hurt me Bucky.” It was Bucky’s turn to flinch hearing her words. He hurt her?

“I don't know what I did though.” His voice sounded childlike as he whined.

“At the party, you let your friends talk poorly about me. You-you let them call me a freak and-and weird. They made fun of my clothes and said you were hanging out with me out of pity and you just sat there and laughed James!” Her voice rose with every word. Bits and pieces of that night float around in his head. He can slightly remember the conversation but nothing is clearly showing in his head.

“I'm sorry they said that Y/N but you know that's not true. We both know our relationship, I don't know why you're letting them get to you.”

“They talked about my anxiety. You talked about my anxiety!”

“That's it? That's why you're not talking to me?” He exclaimed throwing his hands in the air.

“You let them sexualize me!” The kitchen filled with an uncomfortable silence. Bucky’s exterior softened.

“What?” His tone was drastically softer than it was earlier.

“You just sat and listened to them as they talked about my body. They talked about my boobs and if youve had sex with me and you said nothing. They said that they would hang with the loser if they could fuck me...How could you let them say that about me?” Y/N whimpered. Her hands cradled her face as she sobbed. Bucky saw the way her chest heaved with each sob, tears forming in his own eyes.

“I didn't know. I wouldn't have let them say those things sober. You have to know that.” He almost fell to his knees pleading for her forgiveness.

“You even said you wouldn't date me. I know its stupid but I thought you liked me back. You told me you loved me. You've taken me out on dates. You've kissed me for goodness sake!”

“I know and I'm sorry. I do like you, I don't know why I said that. I like you so much.” His knees buckled slightly but he held his ground.

“Obviously you dont Bucky. We should just stay away from each other from now on and I won't be renewing my leasing contract at the end of the semester.” She finalizes. Buckys whispers a small no in protest. “You really hurt me, Bucky. I would never let anyone slander you. I respect you too much to allow for someone else to disrespect you.”

With that being said, she gave Bucky one last look over before walking away. Bucky was knocked out of his thoughts at the sound of her door slamming shut and the lock being secured.

Bucky sat on the kitchen floor, the cold tile seeping through his pants to chill his legs. His face adorned with a frown, tears sliding down his warm cheeks. Y/N was his best friend and he ruined it by being a shitty person. He knows he should have defended her, defended their relationship.

Bucky’s rolly chair was his only source of entertainment at his desk in the lobby of the admissions office. Today was a slow day. There were only a few students who came in asking for help finding buildings or looking for the financial aid office. Some high school student came in for tours but his coworkers beat him to doing tours so here he was stuck in the quiet office. He had already stolen a large amount of guest snacks, a cold bottle of tea and a sugar cookie with the school's logo on it.

His chair spinning activities came to a halt when he heard the front door open with a small jingle sounding from it. He took a moment to let the dizziness fade away before he looked up. Bucky felt his breath stop in his throat.

There stood a girl with overalls and a bright colored top. She wore dark green converse, high tops, with frilly socks that peeked from the top. She had large glasses that framed her face perfectly. She was looking around the office, eyes wide with wonder. Her eyes finally met Bucky's, making a large smile appear on her face.

“Hi!” She exclaimed walking up to Bucky’s desk.

“Hey, what can I help you with today?” Bucky asked cooly.

“I just transferred here and I was wondering if you knew where I could apply for on campus jobs?” She placed her hands on top of the counter of Bucky’s desk. He admired her baby blue acrylics that had white flowers on them.

“Oh um, the admissions office is hiring. We do all of the tours for highschool students, or package and mail acceptance letters. Sometimes we plan scholarship events. It's an easy pay type of job. I just sit here and do homework my whole shift.” Bucky answers. “What's your name so I can get my boss to contact you?”

“Y/N Y/L/N.” Bucky quickly scribbled your name on a post it note and stuck it to his laptop as a reminder. “Do you really like this job or are you just trying to pull me in?” She jests with a small smile on her face.

“I mean it's a decent job but im sure with you working here it would make it ten times prettier.” Bucky smirked at the giggle that escaped Y/N. He wasn't normally a flirt but he couldn't help himself with this one.

“Oh really? How many times have you said that line to a girl?” Bucky put a hand to his chest in a fake offense.

“You think too low of me Y/N. I saved that one for the prettiest girl to walk through the door.”

“Hmm, ok. I'll believe it only because my ego needs this boost. Hey, you never told me your name. How am I supposed to write about this encounter in my journal if I don't have your name?”

“My name is James but I prefer if people just call me Bucky. Short for Buchanon, I know it's weird.” Bucky leans back in his chair, arms crossed. He can see her eyes checking out the way his muscles flex underneath his long sleeve shirt. He may have purposefully flexed a little extra for show.

“No, I love it. I dont think ive ever met a Bucky.” She counters. She leans forward, placing her elbows on the counter, her chest pressed against the front of the counter.

“Well I'm glad I'm your first Bucky.” He jokes with a small smile on his face. There was a small moment of silence shared between the two as they just looked at each other. Bucky couldn't help but think about how cute she was as Y/N thought the same thing.

“Oh gosh, I'm probably holding you up from your work.” She snaps out of her little spell rolling her eyes at herself. “I should get going.”

Bucky frowned at the idea of her leave, wanting nothing more than to continue talking to the new girl.

“Right, of course. Maybe I could get your number...so I can notify you about the job.” Bucky proposes. Y/N raises one eyebrow in question, a knowing smile placed on her lips.

“Sure thing bucky.” He hands her a pen and post it for her number. “I wouldn't be opposed to you using this number for things other than work too.” She suggested. She signed her name on the post it note ending it with a small heart.

“I will definitely take you up on that offer. No take backs though when I start sending you random shit.” She giggled, leaning up from her spot. Bucky basked at the sweet sound. He stood up to meet her on the other side of the desk.

“Well Bucky, it was lovely to meet you.” She stuck her hand out for him to shake, he reciprocated the action. Her hands were soft and warm, he thought. She gave him one last smile before walking away.

It was warm outside on the quad as Bucky sat by himself. He sat at the table that would normally be occupied by Y/N and him. Y/N would bring lunch- made by her. Anytime Bucky would try to help her by making lunch she would kick him out of the kitchen. Today, Bucky sat by himself, with no hand made lunch. He had a greasy bag of french fries and a large coke. He planned on eating his sorrows away.

“Hey Bucky!” A voice yelled out to him. Looking up from his fries, Bucky looked towards the sound that broke him out of his fries excursion. Tanner and Logan, his friends from the party, came walking over to him. They both sat down, throwing their lunch onto the table.

“Where's Ms. weirdo?” Tanner asks, mouth full of food. Bucky grimaced at Tanner's manners. He also felt the anger he should have felt on Saturday bloom in his chest.

“She's not weird.” Bucky snapped, fists tightening in his lap. Tanner scoffed, Logan laughing along with him.

“Says you. She is fucking weird. Did you finally get some from her or something? Defending her and shit.” Logan clapped Tanner on his back agreeing with him. “Shit, good for you dude. I would have fucked her a while ago. Probably would have kept her face down so I wouldn't have to see her-”

Before Tanner could finish his sentence, he was thrown from his seat from the powerful punch being landed on his jaw. His feet flew from where he was sitting, landing on his back with a heavy thud.

“Dude what the fuck?” Tanner stood wiping his face from the blood that started to trickle down from his bloody eyebrow. Bucky had never felt anger like this before. His heart was racing, his breathing labored. His cheeks were red and warm, eyebrows turned down.

“No, you don't get to make fun of her and make sexual comments about her.” Bucky snarled. Tanner rolled his eyes, walking closer to Bucky.

“Oh fuck off with that! You didn't defend her this hard on saturday.” Tanner's mistake after his words was shoving Bucky's shoulders back. Bucky reacted quickly by shoving Tanner with even more force.

Tanner threw a punch to Bucky’s jaw, making his head fly back. Bucky tackled Tanner to the ground, throwing punches left and right. Tanner fought back, hands flying landing punches wherever he could land them.

Logan was able to pull Bucky off of Tanner, warning the two that campus police would arrest them if they were caught. Both boys stared at each other fuming. Bucky snatched his trash and his backpack up, the scowl never leaving his face.

“If I ever see you looking or talking to Y/N, I will bash your face in.” Bucky growled.

Y/N felt better today. She found the strength to wear a cute outfit versus the oversized clothes she had been wearing prior out of fear. She didn't want anyone to look at her in any harmful way. She wanted to wear her cute outfits that were sometimes form fitting and short. She liked to wear her cute period pieces that had her own twist on them. She spent many years hating her body and the way she looked. She deserved to feel cute without thinking she is at fault for being sexualized and poorly treated.

She whipped out one of her favorite outfits today, loving the way it fit on her body making her feel confident. Sitting at the front desk of the admissions office, her feet propped up on the desk. Her shift was going by slowly, no one needing assistance this late in the day.

The door burst open making Y/N jump from her seat. She stood up shocked to see Bucky walk in with a huff. He wasn't supposed to work today but here he was. Y/N gasped looking at his cut lip and bruising eye.

“Bucky, what happened?” She maneuvered her way around the desk to stand in front of the beat up boy. She placed both of her hands on his cheeks to examine his injuries. He moved his face away from her tears brimming his eyes.

“I'm sorry Y/N. I'm really sorry. I should have protected you from them. I should've told them not to speak about you that way. You are more than some eye candy for men to act disgusting towards. You are beautiful and eclectic. You have a brilliant mind that shines brighter than anyone elses on this campus.” He spoke to her softly.

“I don't understand Bucky. What made you have this change of heart? You didn't give two shits about me last weekend.” She crossed her arms defensively.

“I know and I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking. Maybe it was the alcohol but that's no excuse. I love you. I love all of you. You're not weird. You're your own person and I love everything about you. You do so much for me and I feel like shit for not doing the bare minimum for you.” His words stunned her.

“You love me?”

“God, with everything I have. Since the day you walked in here with those overalls. I've spent the past four years loving you.” Bucky whispered. He grabbed her hand, thumb rubbing over her knuckles.

“I love you too, Bucky.  I really do and I'm hurt. I don't think the hurt will go away for some time. You let them speak horribly about me. If you loved me like I was your girl, you would have defended me.” She spoke sorrowfully.

“I know, I know. I can't change the fact that I did nothing but I can tell you that I'm sorry. I'm always going to protect you. I did today. Tanner may be sporting a nasty goose egg on his eye because of his dumbass words.” Y/N giggled softly, touching his bruising knuckles.

“Thank you, Bucky.”

“I want to go back to normal. I miss you in the mornings and-and during our lunch breaks outside. I miss you.” Bucky stated.

“I miss you too.”

Bucky watched her eyes drop down to his lip, busted and all. He leaned forward slightly hoping she would meet him in the middle. She met him the rest of the way pressing her lips to his. Bucky relished this moment. He relished to be even sharing  moments with the girl he's been in love with since the second he saw her.

“I'm gonna be better, I promise.”

[babyloposts]

RoseBud

My Hero Academia Gang AU

Pairing(s): Sero Hanta x fem!reader

Warnings: language, drug use, explicit content, sexual themes, gang imagery, violence

Summary: a simple crush on a guy quickly turns south as you become wrapped up in an unsafe life of lies, drugs, and violence. What happens when you become a key player in a war between to rival gangs and have to deal with a complicated love life all at the same time.

—————————————————

0.5

You stayed occupied on your phone until Hatsume returned to finish up the details of your already sore rose. In the time it took for her to do whatever business she had with those boys, your numbing cream had began to wear off.

The tension in the room was thick. The previously care-free energy Hatsume possessed was replaced with a melancholic and faraway stare in her eyes.

“Alright babe I’m all done. Remember to clean the skin with a gentle anti-bacterial soap and use alcohol-free moisturizer alright.” There was a feigned happiness in Hatsume’s voice, but her eyes said it all. Whatever Bakugou had done to her, whatever he and the red head had taken from her must have dampened her mood more than the threat from earlier.

You nodded to Hatsume and she took her leave as you were re-dressing. Luckily the top you wore was a light fabric and didn’t rub against your tattoo too much, but you could tell, this was going to hurt in the morning.

Walking back into the main lobby you only found Sero. No Bakugou, Hatsume, or mysterious Red Head to be found. You wanted to be happy to see Sero, but the look on his face and the mark on his face were more than enough to dampen your mood.

“Sero, oh my God!” He cringed as your finger lightly danced over his bruised cheekbone. Your hand flew to him without even thinking. Quickly you whipped it back and silently scolded yourself for your overbearing nature. “I’m sorry I-”

“Don’t apologize. It’ll only make me feel worse about getting punched in the face.” He chuckled, but your expression never faltered. The worry was there and it wasn’t going anywhere. Your brain was rattling with questions of ‘why?’ and ‘what happened?’, but as soon as you even fixed your mouth to speak Sero was cutting you off with the sharp movement of rising to his feet.

“Let me drive you home. It’s late.” Without checking for a change in your face or any confirmation he turned to leave the shop, trusting that you had fallen instep behind him.

The car ride to your apartment didn’t answer any lingering questions either. The only sounds that graced your ears was the buzzing of the engine and the light sounds of J. Cole songs emanating from the stereo. Sero periodically asked for vague directions to your side of town, but surprisingly he found your small complex with ease.

“Thank you.” You sighed as he shifted the car into park. The car ride may have been soothing, but the fear for your new friend’s well-being never once left your gut.

“Don’t thank me. It’s the gentlemanly thing to do. And I pride myself on being a pretty nice guy.” The smile graced easily over his face as if he didn’t have a giant bruise forming under his eye. Your expression remained unmoving, your friend full of wonder as to what he was hiding from you. Yea, you had just officially met Sero tonight and he really isn’t obligated to tell you anything personal, but he was acting like none of that crazy shit just happened.

Sero chuckled, breaking through your bewildered inner monologue to move around and open your car door for you. “Alright, this is the part where you go home. Not that I’m trying to get rid of you.” He winked.

“R-right.” You get out of the car and start to your apartment. This didn’t feel right, the energy was too weird. You knew in the back of your mind that Denki was right. He had said Sero was a good guy and you’d be in good hands with him and he was right. Sero was probably trying to protect you from whatever shady business he was apart of, but you couldn’t leave this “date” where it was. You made it about half way to the door to enter the lobby of the building before you spun on your heels and placed your hands firmly on your hips. Sero was watching you as he leisurely leant on the hood of his black muscle car. Totally unbothered as you had come to expect.

“You’re not leaving here without me checking you out.” You said with all the gusto you could muster.

“Go ahead. I’m standing right here.” He smirked and drank you in with his eyes.

“Stop being an idiot and come upstairs with me. I can’t go to sleep tonight knowing that I just let you leave here with a black eye and I didn’t even offer you an ice-pack.”

“If you wanted me to come up to your apartment with you, you didn’t have to make up an excuse.” He punctuated his sentence with the chirp of his car doors locking and jogged up next to you.

“What happened to you being a gentleman?” You snorted.

“I can’t ever turn down an offer like that from you. I’ll take my chances.” He grinned slyly. You rolled your eyes trying to act like his charm wasn’t getting to you.

Sero followed you into the elevator and into your apartment. It was quaint and homey and smelled of bergamot incense. Luckily you had cleaned up a few days ago and your apartment was presentable to guests.

“You can sit on the couch I’ll get you some ice and a damp rag.” Without checking to see if he even listened to your instructions you busied yourself hopping from room to room of your apartment to gather the supplies to help his worsening bruise. Once you were back in the living room you instinctively pressed the makeshift ice-pack to Sero’s eye causing him to wince.

“That’s what you get for getting yourself beat up because of me.” You huffed.

“What do you mean? I didn’t-”

“I heard what he said Sero. That blond guy was yelling at Hatsume saying that you left the club before you were supposed to and he had to finish the job for you. You told me that you were done for the night. I wouldn’t have cared if we stayed longer.”

“I didn’t get beat up for you.” Softly, your hand was removed from in front of his eye. With Sero’s vision no longer obscured he could see the look of guilt clear as fat on your face. “I chose to leave. I was gonna do what needed to get done regardless, but my boss has little faith in me I guess. He sent his guard dog after me instead of trusting that I know how to get shit done.” Sero grumbled at the end. That seemed to have put him off. It was the one time his chill façade had faded that night.

“So... taking me to Hatsume was an excuse?”

Quickly the charm was back and he was reassuring you that you were priority number one. “No. Well kind of. I still wanted you to have a good time, but I would have had to see Hatsume tonight anyway. So, two birds and all that.” He shrugged.

With the ice pack now back on his face you started again, you found it was easier to speak your mind this way. No seductive eyes to sway the conversation. “Okay. But still. You should have checked in with whoever to avoid all this.” You gestured to his face.

“This happens more often than you think.”

“Sero. Be serious please.” You sighed. “You didn’t need to get hurt indirectly because of me. I’m not gonna ask what you or Bakugou needed from Hatsume, because obviously it wasn’t tattoo related, but can you at least promise me that you won’t leave working just to hang with me?”

“So there’s gonna be a next time.” His eyebrows wiggled, taunting you.

You stammered. You didn’t mean to sound presumptuous, but you were hoping he would want to go out with you again. “I mean yeah, I thought tonight was fun, all things considering.”

“Yeah? Me too.” His hand began to snake to your thigh that was now exposed to him as your skirt hiked up from your sitting position. The hand was comforting reminding you of the comfort you got from him earlier that night in the car.

“I-“ Your throat all of a sudden felt so dry. Clearing uncomfortably, you began again. “I don’t know if this is really gentlemanly.” You chuckled. Sero’s gaze at you did not falter for a second. His eyes were hazy and his eyelids dropped. The look in his eyes drew you in and you dropped the ice-pack from his face.

“I’m sorry, I just can’t keep my eyes off you. You’re beautiful.” You smiled as the compliment. Again the compliment on your beauty was unfamiliar, but greatly appreciated.

“Thank you... but I-” Your protests were quickly silenced by the force of his lips pressing against yours.

Like ice against a flame you melted into the kiss automatically. Your lips mended together perfectly. His felt rough, slightly chapped, but the way he moved in rhythm with you caused you to swoon. You were both drunk on each other’s touch. His hands roamed you lower body and rested on your waist, while you explored his hair and massaged his scalp with your finger tips.

A firm squeeze to your upper thigh elicited a gasp from your lips breaking the kiss and allowing Sero just enough time to slip your blouse over your head. What a pleasant surprise it was to find you without a bra on to obstruct his view. “Nice tat.” He smirked.

To avoid the embarrassment bubbling in your chest you shut him up this time by climbing into his lap and resuming the kiss where you had left off. In this position he had free reign of your body. His hands explored every inch of your legs, ass, and back.

You were a frustrated moaning and groaning into his mouth which only made him want to touch you more. Those intimate sounds making him harden beneath you.

Sero was undeniably sexy. You had fantasized about being with him before you really knew him, but everything went beyond your expectations. The way his rough hands felt against your body, the way his tongue and lips felt tangling with yours and his scent. It was a strong mix of cologne, weed, and something almost sickeningly sweet. You could have sworn it was...

Cherry Blossoms.

As if I’ve cold water had been poured on you, you ended your make out session with your crush prematurely.

“What happened?” Sero finally showed some other emotion. A mix of curiosity and worry.

You panicked how could you explain this. “Sero... you- you don’t want me.”

“The fuck are you on? Of course I want you.” His eyes flicked down taking in the sight of you bare chested and sitting on his straining erection.

“No you don’t. I’m sorry but, it’s my quirk that’s making you like me.”

“Huh?”

previous|next

Masterlist

Taglist: @black-bhabie-2000

[captainkirbypunch]

My love has left tumblr once again.

As many of you may know, the account under the name MDZADR, has left tumblr. They felt unsafe in their fandom, and as such have deleted their tumblr and AO3 account due to the bad memories linked to them.

As a part of their departure, they have asked me to post something in their name, as follows.

If you want more details about how I came to this realization, continue to read. If not, here is your summary:

TL;DR: For the safety and health of this fandom, I wanted to spread the word that Mooping-10 is filled with people who absolutely cannot be trusted, creating a very hazardous environment for the zadr community, and MelodyoftheVoid is connected to all of those people, living a double life amongst those of us that don’t “ship zadr correctly.” She has plenty of friends her inner circle knows nothing about, and nobody on either side knows who she really is. 

Full story below.

I’m sorry I didn’t say goodbye. Nobody did anything to me today, but this just wasn’t worth it.

My AO3 and tumblr are both gone. I didn’t say goodbye because I didn’t want to look like an attention seeker.

Here’s the thing. I wasn’t going to name drop, but you guys need to know the truth. I’m instructing my boyfriend (hi y’all) to turn asks off for his own safety after this because this is going to be a nightmare, but... allow me to tell you the full story. I’ll try to break up the text so it’s less difficult to read, but this is important. I’m sorry to air discourse so publicly, but please... I need you to listen to me.

I’ll start from the beginning, without being vague anymore about who “she” is. I request that you please read the whole thing and not skip parts of it. The whole story matters.

I finally returned to the fandom about two months or so ago. As I’ve mentioned, I don’t do well in my thoughts while left alone too long, so I posted saying I would stop messaging people I knew because I didn’t want to bother them. There were only two people I was talking to at the time, but one of them is famous so I didn’t want to message her directly saying that. Doing so would have put her in a position of feeling obligated to say “you’re not bothering me” rather than just simply being able to sigh with relief from no longer being contacted. 

But the first person to contact me was the famous person, and she asked if I was okay, and told me she liked talking to me.

God, I actually cried.

But, that’s just her. Melodyofthevoid is the type of person to talk to people in the fandom, totally unaware of her demigod status. She comments on stories, interacts on posts, messages first... a pillar of kindness, so it seemed.

But let the story continue.

Over time, we were talking more often. 

Mostly sending memes (cause everyone I knew, myself included, aren’t exactly great at holding conversations. No shade. Memes are a love language). I was still in the hero worship stage of our relationship, so my view of her was that that was perfect.

Now, let me bridge a connection with a new story idea I got around December 28th or so, and my thinking she was perfect.

I had recently finished watching Madoka and questioned “If I had magical powers, what would they be?” It then turned into its own story idea, basing creators’ powers around the strengths and weaknesses in creations. I actually realized “oh fuck. My stuff is incoherent. My friends’ works aren’t too different...”

Thus spawned the name “Incoherent” for the project.

What does that have to do with this? Well, here’s the thing that really fucked everything up quickly. 

This was not on purpose, because originally the project (which I had told nobody of yet at the time) was all about improving your works, making platonic friends, dressing our personas in cute outfits, and writing fun magic.

While listening to music and thinking of the story one day, my brain accidentally shipped my persona with hers, and I couldn’t unsee it. And I’m lousy at keeping my own secrets (other’s are different) so she found out on probably day one or two about my weird crush because of an ask meme of all things. 

She didn’t try to put me off any, which was another problem for future things to come, and so I decided that since Incoherent was finally making me feel alive again and feeling the euphoric feelings of love wouldn’t hurt anything (I figured they’d mellow out on their own eventually because that’s how infatuation works) since they helped fuel my inspiration, and then we would just continue from friends to better friends one day and this part of our lives would be over.

Besides, the forbidden is attractive somehow, and makes stories more entertaining. She’s aro/ace, so I had no chance anyway. Someone safe to crush on, in her own way.

This isn’t a story of a love betrayal however. There was no such thing. But it’s important to the story because Incoherent is where my mistakes were made, and hers brought to light.

By this time, I had a handful of people I was talking to, and I created a discord server for the project. Only my boyfriend (hi!) and I were in it at the time. I was not-so-subtly asking my friends what they’d look like if they were a magical person, what their names would be... I thought I would have had to lure Melody in to make her want to join us, but I managed to get her in very easily. Everyone was happy and excited! It was a no obligation, no time limit thing for us to enjoy, a little sandbox to play around in. 

Sure there were plans to make it bigger and I was working on art to the best of my ability, but it was gonna be a fun thing mostly. No pressure on anyone.

And how things started becoming a problem was that the rest of us posted publicly about the project and interacted with each other’s posts relating to the story, but she had started to interact publicly less and less with our things, and everyone noticed it.

It wasn’t because we were greedy and wanted the popular girl to reblog our things. It’s because we had a feeling she was ashamed of being seen publicly with us. The reason we were worried before then and started making that connection was because I mentioned I was going to ask another user if they were interested in joining Incoherent. Melody was the only one that seemed uncomfortable, and I messaged her asking about it. We agreed I wouldn’t invite that person but I knew things were off about it.

That person is like me. How long until Melody didn’t want to talk to me anymore? A few days ago, the other shoe finally dropped. A member of our little group and I were talking and (let’s call them Friend for simplicity. They asked to not be name dropped here) Friend was worried they had made Melody upset by tagging her in a meme picture they drew of her persona, and the two had agreed that Friend remove the tag. This spawned an anxiety-filled conversation where Friend and I expressed our concerns about Melody not interacting with the project, or us.

So since I wanted reassurance that that wasn’t the case, I messaged Melody with my concerns. I told her I had the feeling she was ashamed of being seen in public with us because of her friends, and she didn’t refute me. She simply told me to go get some rest. I messaged back with “I’m right.”

I deleted Discord off my phone for hours and nearly deleted my Tumblr, AO3, and the server after my boyfriend helped pass messages between us. Melody confessed that was the case because her friends expressed discomfort with my works, and she was playing both sides.

Her words, not mine.

Melody told me she would be withdrawing from the Incoherent project because it wasn’t fair to us if her heart wasn’t in it.

She didn’t stand up on my behalf when they said things about me. Her friends are the type who talk behind creators’ backs for shipping zadr “incorrectly.” Worse than antis because they actually participate in the “pro-shipping” side of the fandom. I broke that day and messaged her at 3 am.

We finally spoke at 3pm. We both missed each other. I tried to understand more. I wanted it to be more like a conversation rather than an interrogation. It was only one-sided however, and she never opened up further. And I made some mistakes and poor choices of words, and we ended up parting ways permanently right there. 

I nearly deleted everything, but much like a coma patient attached to many machines on a hospital bed, my blog was kept alive a little longer by people sending kind words in droves. I was briefly fuelled by spite, wishing to watch the world burn by making everyone on the "correct" side of the fandom upset by posting the worst, most vile content this fandom has ever seen.

I was also welcomed with open arms by a very kind server with fellow degenerates, all of them screaming and crying and partying when they managed to get me in their server. It was so heartwarming...

But as I spoke to others about my situation, I realized something. A disturbing pattern.

People telling me horror stories about how Mooping-10 was cult-like. How the people running it were antis. I was even told once that they have a secondary server where they go to have their talks and do their work, likely the place where the real bashing is held.

The server itself has rules against such behavior, but I suppose it's different when they do it.

One person (and this is the most unnerving part for me, personally) told me Melody actually set off alarm bells in their head without having even done anything yet, and the most disturbing part of the story was that one of the moderators was afraid and upset because they got Covid, and received basically no moral support at all. Only getting told "spoiler that. Sorry you got Covid".

I was horrified. That server has 100 people in it. How many of them are the same? They act like popular kids in school who picked up an unpopular main character and then bash others, and the main character joined in because they don't want to be left behind by their new "friends".

To put it short, back to my point:

TL;DR: I simply only wanted to spread the word that: Mooping-10 is filled with people who absolutely cannot be trusted, creating a very hazardous environment for the zadr community, and Melodyofthevoid is connected to all of those people, living a double life amongst those of us that don't "ship zadr correctly". She has plenty of friends her inner circle knows nothing about, and nobody on either side knows who she really is.

[gloryofluv]

Order Up! Chapter 25

Satan, you really are a naughty professor. Hahaha

Previous Chapter

Alex rubbed her eyes. What woke her? There was tapping at her bedroom door. She climbed out of her bed and turned on her bedside table. Wandering to the door, she opened it to see Satan smiling. He was in his usual casual wear, but he had a tint of mischief. Alex actually enjoyed that about him. It was like one of those feisty tom cats who knocked things over to see them roll on the floor.

“Satan?” Alex questioned.

“Come with me?” he asked.

Alex’s eyebrows raised. “Where are we going?”

He glanced at her attire. “Why don’t you put on something underneath that and meet me in the backyard?”

Alex twitched her nose and glanced at the clock. It was nearing two in the morning. Probably not the smartest idea, but then again, he always seemed to be about exploring human nature. Whatever it was, it should be interesting. “Okay, but only because you look so determined.”

“Excellent. Oh, and don’t turn on the lights outside. It will alert Lucifer,” he murmured and shut her door.

Alex was still a little confused about what they were doing in the middle of the night in the yard. She shrugged and quickly placed on some underwear before putting back on her tank top and shorts she was sleeping in. Belphie had been asking her to come up to the attic for stargazing. Maybe Satan had a different spot?

She slipped from the room and snuck through the dark living room. It felt one part exciting and one part anxious. It was obviously something Lucifer wasn’t supposed to know about. What the fuck was this professor plotting? The woman quietly opened the sliding glass door and paced outside. “Satan?” she whispered and looked around.

Alex nearly jumped out of her skin and screamed when an arm wrapped around her. A warm hand covered her lips, and hot breath caressed her cheek. “Calm down. It’s just me,” Satan whispered. “Are you going to be a good little kitten and just follow my lead?”

Her face was burning as she nodded against his hand.

“Good, now, we’re going to sneak into the pool,” he murmured.

She rocked her head. Satan pulled from her and began to strip. Alex couldn’t help but feel the scorching heat build on her face as he unbuttoned. He waved at her to do the same. Alex pulled off her tank top and shorts. Satan eyed her in the moonlight but held up his hand. Okay, they were going to stay in their underwear.

His form was built but lean in the right way. He had tone, but it wasn’t the look of working out every day. It was healthy and quite attractive. His boxers were green and glared under the moonlight. Boxer boy it is, and Alex definitely wasn’t complaining.

Satan had glimmering marks skewed across his body as he snatched up the clothing and placed them under a chair. He rolled back a piece of the pool cover near the stairs and propped the floating tube over the cover and jacuzzi top. He then gestured for her to come to him.

Alex wasn’t positive about what adventure they were on, but it was exciting. She paced over, and Satan leaned to her. “I’m going to help you get into the water quietly,” he whispered.

She rocked her head, and Satan lifted her before walking carefully down the stairs. A minimal sound came from the water, and he released her when they were under the tube, shielding the view from the house's windows.

“There,” he chuckled.

“What are we doing?” Alex murmured.

Satan arched an eyebrow. “Midnight swimming. I occasionally do after I’m wired from a great book.”

“Did you read a good book? What was it about?” She questioned.

He chuckled and waved his hand. “Well, a tale of a mermaid that enthralled a sea god,” he smirked and moved closer to her.

“Oh, a mermaid and a sea god?” she asked.

He nodded and ran his thumb over her cheek. “It was quite entertaining. I wanted to investigate,” he breathed.

Alex glanced down at his chest, and in the low light, she could barely make out the scars. His chest had quite a variety of them. He followed her gaze and nodded. “From my uncle.”

“I’m sorry,” she breathed and touched them.

His hand covered hers. “Thank you,” he smiled.

“Tell me something, as the new one in the family,” Alex murmured. “Is Lucifer upset with me?”

Satan snorted and rolled his eyes. “No, definitely not at you, Alex,” he paused and ushered her against the wall. “He’s just a bit of a bastard about feelings. Don’t you take them on, alright? Let’s just enjoy the night.”

She rocked her head while gazing up at his electric green eyes. “Okay.”

“You’re so beautiful,” he said and caressed her cheek. “So sweet and tender. Alex, if you ever need someone to protect you from the world, you tell me, alright? You’re like that white kitten we saw near the cafe the other day.”

She sighed, and his lips touched her neck. Her hair bundled away from the water gave him perfect access, and she had no complaints. His fingers didn’t wander to her chest but to her hips. This handsome bad boy was tempting as fuck. Oh, the light sounds that left her mouth were restrained, but it felt so nice to be touched.

He pulled from her neck and smirked at her. “You sound so sweet purring like that, kitten,” he whispered.

Alex touched his face, and he lowered toward her lips. However, there was no contact. The loud sound of the sliding glass door opened, and he touched her lips with his fingertips. Quiet. She rocked her head.

The light flicked on, and he pressed his index finger to his lips. “Which of you is out there?” Lucifer asked.

“Just me, Lucifer,” Satan groaned.

“Only you?” Lucifer asked.

Satan shook his head and pointed to her before moving toward the stairs. He poked his head out and waved. “See?”

Silence and Satan’s eyes narrowed.

“Get out of the pool, Alex,” Lucifer sighed as he rounded the tube and into view.

Shit.

“Lucifer, she’s a grown-ass woman,” Satan growled.

“I expected these antics from Mammon, not you,” Lucifer said as he stared at Satan.

“These rules are so unforgivable and moronic. She’s her own person,” Satan hissed.

Alex shifted to the stairs, and Satan helped her out of the water. There she was, standing dripping with her bra and underwear sticking to her body. Thank goodness they were black. She attempted to cover herself with her arms.

Lucifer shook his head and walked over to get a towel. He paced over and wrapped her in it as she stood next to Satan. “Satan, these rules are in place for this reason. Now, go to bed,” he pointed at his brother and then to the door.

Satan growled and swiped his clothing off the ground, placing hers on the chair. He stomped to the sliding glass door, slamming it behind him. It shook the windows, and Lucifer swayed his head, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled.

“It’s not your fault,” Lucifer sighed and collected her things from the chair.

“I did agree to come out here with him,” she remarked.

Lucifer gestured for her, and Alex stepped forward. “Let’s try to avoid any more late-night swims with any one of my brothers by yourself?”

She rocked her head as he ran the towel over her body. “Okay, but I’m not sure why this is such a bad thing.”

“It sends the wrong message,” Lucifer said as he took the towel to her cheek. “They would never take advantage of you, however.”

She nodded and sighed. “I’m sorry.”

He breathed and smiled. “Let’s get you cleaned up?”

Lucifer escorted her inside and led her to her bathroom. She went inside and exhaled, shaking herself out. Satan did have validity to his frustration. She was a consenting adult. It was annoying as shit that no one would tell her any of these rules either.

She made quick work of a rinse and cleaned up and drying off before putting on her pajamas. She left her underwear in the sink and left the bathroom. Lucifer was standing by her door with a cup of tea.

“This should relax you for bed, Alex.”

She scowled up at him. “I don’t understand. You promised to explain when I’m confused, Lucifer.”

Lucifer breathed and nodded. “The rules are in place so that you never feel unsafe in your home, no matter how long or short, Alex.”

“I would voice if I felt unsafe. I find it very unfair as well, for me. These rules are constricting, and worse, I feel like I don’t even understand when I’m doing something wrong,” she frowned. “That isn’t fair in the least.”

Lucifer’s lips thinned, and he gestured for her to enter her room. She walked inside, and he followed, cracking the door. Alex sat on her bed, and Lucifer set down her tea on the night table.

“Alex, these rules are for my brothers to respect your space as a woman. That means they aren’t allowed to coerce you into stunts like earlier. Consensual or not, how would you feel if Satan ignored you after engaging you in the pool? It would make things worse if he used you only to make you feel horrible about living here. Or what if something more permanent happens? This is for your comfort and security. Don’t you see that?” Lucifer explained.

“You can’t control everything, Lucifer. Including feelings,” Alex exhaled and shook her head.

“I’m keenly aware of that, Alex,” he scowled.

She picked up her tea and sipped it. The silence was thick and almost uncomfortable. Alex looked up at the uneasy man and gestured to him.

“What happened? Why are you ignoring my texts?” she asked.

“I’ve been quite busy,” he shook his head.

“Fine, don’t tell me,” she exhaled and set the cup back down. “Good night, Lucifer.”

He grimaced and retreated with pure anguish on his face. Why couldn’t he just tell her? What the hell was going on with him? Lucifer stopped at the door on the other side.

“Please have a good sleep, Alex,” he sighed.

She rocked her head. Alex’s eyes traced the cup on her nightstand, and they burned. This felt like such a massive rejection. From what, she wasn’t sure. He didn’t move. She met his gaze, and a tear fell down her cheek.

He visibly crumbled and paced back into the room. “Alex, what’s wrong?” he questioned and touched her cheek.

“I don’t know what you’re struggling with, Lucifer, but it hurts,” she murmured.

He made shushing sounds and wiped her face. “I promise you, it’s not you, alright? You’re just exhausted, and I know it seems like I’m quite unfair. If I didn’t care for your safety and security, I wouldn’t concern myself.”

She breathed and coiled her arms around him, pulling herself to him for a hug. No more tears, but she just needed to feel him. He smelled so good. That cologne, whatever it was, calmed her so much. He kissed her hair and wrapped his arms around her. He was the symbolism of protection.

“Sweet girl, it’s time for bed, alright,” he whispered.

She rocked her head against him. “Okay, Lucifer.”

“You’re such a good girl,” he sighed and released her. “Now, I’ll see you tomorrow at dinner. I have to take a trip to the office. Try to keep my brothers wrangled, alright?” he added and pinched her chin between his thumb and fingers.

She agreed and sat back down on her bed. “Alright.”

“Good,” he breathed and patted her head. “Sleep well.”

Alex watched him leave the room and scowled when he shut the door. Maybe she was approaching this wrong. She would have to investigate this further from a different angle. Alex sipped her tea again before shutting off the light and relaxing back in her blankets. Turning, she stared at the light peeking through the holes in her blinds. A little light. That’s all she needed on this for understanding.

@rsmrymnt-tea @otome-scribbles

[keanureevesisbae]

Mister Cavill, your dog is kinda fat - Chapter 16

Summary: Veterinarian Olivia Tran has zero time for bullshit. After becoming a mom at age twenty three, the one thing she wants is a good life for her daughter Vanessa. Her ex didn’t want anything to do with her nor the baby and she decided that man are officially banned out of her life. But then she meets Henry Cavill at her clinic and her ban slowly starts to crumble apart. Henry on the other hand is looking for one thing: a family. And when he meets Olivia Tran, he finds just that.

Henry Cavill x Olivia Tran (ofc)

Warnings: None

Wordcount: 2.6k

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I had been feeling a bit weird for a week now. Ever since Henry and I got back from our little getaway, I felt pretty nauseous, but I have that from time to time, so I didn’t think anything of it. Things started to get a whole lot worse, when I went back to work. I nearly vomited all over multiple dogs, because of the smell of their disgusting anal glands. Normally they don’t bother me that much. The smell isn’t my favorite of course (and I wouldn’t make a perfume out of it), but nearly vomiting because of it, that has never happened before.

I became more and more tired and my breasts start to hurt a lot more, but yet again, I didn’t suspect anything. It was until I was laying down on the couch, while Vanessa was doing groceries with Henry. Kal plopped next to me on the couch and placed his head protectively on my stomach.

And that’s when I was starting to suspect something.

I could be pregnant.

And basically this was all my fault. While I had been constantly pressing about how we are not ready to add another baby to our family yet, I hadn’t been consisted with my birth control and never once urged Henry to wear a condom.

In these four days I have been acting like a total zombie (and knew damn well why, though I claimed otherwise), I kept beating myself up about it and the longer I kept quiet about it, the more I hated myself.

I mean, Wesley ran away, so why would this time be any different? Henry could always decide that this isn’t what he wanted. Men are pigs, they have proven me that, but I was absolutely blindsided by Henry and his love, that I might have missed some signs.

After I dropped the “I think I might be pregnant”-bomb on Henry, he hasn’t said anything. He keeps on staring at me and I have no clue what he is thinking. Is he anger? Is he sad? Is he disappointed?

‘You think you are pregnant,’ he finally manages to say. ‘How are you not sure?’

Okay, he hasn’t lost his ability to communicate, that is a good sign right? ‘I haven’t taken the test yet.’

He nods and simply stares at me. Why is that making me uncomfortable? He needs to say something!

‘I have been pretty tired,’ I whisper, ‘and nauseous and my breasts hurt. Then Kal placed his head on my stomach, in a way he never did.’ I let out a shaky sigh and add: ‘And also, I have been pretty inconsistent with my birth control and we have been having a lot of… You know, we engaged in tons of unsafe bedroom activities.’

He is still not saying anything.

‘Henry, please, just say something to me.’ Tears burn in my eyes, while my doubts turn into realities. He doesn’t want me, nor Vanessa, nor this possible baby. ‘You know, I should go, I’m really sorry.’

‘Why are you apologizing?’ he asks, stopping me in my tracks with his words.

Now I don’t know what to say. ‘Why shouldn’t I be apologizing?’

‘This is what we wanted, right?’

Is he serious?

Come to think of it, of course he is serious. I mean, I feel like that man was totally ready to get me pregnant the second I agreed to having a kid with him in the future.

I really shouldn’t have underestimated him.

‘Sweetheart,’ he whispers, ‘you shouldn’t feel guilty about not being consisted with your birth control. Besides it takes two people to get pregnant and we don’t even know for sure yet, do we now?’

I shake my head, because he is right. It does take two people to get pregnant.

‘You haven’t taken a test yet and since you haven’t been taking your birth control steadily, isn’t it possible that you can get your period any minute now?’

‘Henry, it’s been six to seven weeks since I last had my period.’

He blinks. ‘Oh.’

‘I’m so scared,’ I whisper in a hoarse tone, with a voice crack in the process. ‘I’m really scared.’

‘Why is that, sweetheart?’ He takes a step closer to me, his hands holding onto mine.

‘Because so much is going to change,’ I say. ‘And what if you leave?’

He shakes his head. ‘I get that you are scared,’ he says, ‘because so much is going to change, that is true. But you have to remember: I’m right here. I’m right here with you and I’m not leaving you. Sweetheart, I’m no Wesley, please remember that. I’m am currently no Wesley, nor will I ever lower myself to be him. I’m here for you to stay. Every step of this journey.’ He pulls me closer to him, before he wraps his strong arms around my waist. ‘The second you and I get home,’ he tells me, ‘I’m going to buy a test for you.’

My heart swells with nothing but love. How on earth could I have underestimated this man? This beautiful human, who has shown me nothing but love and compassion. I feel so stupid now for thinking that low of him. ‘I know this might be hard for you,’ I tell him, ‘but could you please not say anything to anyone?’

‘I’m going to try,’ he chuckles, his cheeks a little bit more pinkish than before, maybe from happiness or hold in tears. ‘It might be a challenge, but I’m going to try.’ Henry presses kisses in my neck and whispers: ‘I’m so happy, sweetheart. I can’t believe that this is truly happening. Not only will I be a dad to Vanessa, but to a possible other kid too.’

This is such a different reaction. I still have nightmares about the disgusted look on Wesley’s face when I told him I was pregnant for real. I only think I’m pregnant now and Henry is ready to set up the entire nursery. ‘I love you so much, Henry. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you. I truly am.’

‘Oh sweetheart,’ he whispers, leaning back a bit, so he can look at me. ‘You don’t need to feel sorry, ever. I understand you were scared, especially with what that idiot Wesley did.’ He gives me a long kiss on my lips. ‘But remember, sweetheart, I love you more.’

≫≫≪≪

It feels good to have told Henry. I was pretty stupid for thinking that he would leave me for this. I mean, we are talking about Henry. Henry Cavill. During the rest of our visit at his parents house, he kept beaming with pride and everyone was wondering what the hell was going on inside his head. When we were a bit secluded from his family, he kept kissing me, touching me and I never felt more loved.

He kept his promise. The second we got home, he went out for some groceries, giving me time to cuddle up with Vanessa. We are on the couch as I spoon my little girl as we watch some television. When Vanessa was younger, I made these idiotic and unrealistic measurements: no television, no sweets. Now I turn on the television myself, because I want to know what Winnie the Pooh is about to do now.

But I do realize, that as soon as we add another baby into the mix, it’s all going to be different and what is happening here, will not happen again.

I think Vanessa would be a great big sister. I know she would. She keeps on telling me that she’ll be such a wonderful big sister and I believe her right away. Though I don’t like Bettie’s mom, Bettie herself is a pretty sweet kid and Vanessa is such a sweetheart to all of Bettie’s little siblings.

But I also know that taking care of another child is going to mean a little less attention for Vanessa. She has been my one and only for so long and she got so much attention from Henry since he came into our lives: how will she handle this?

What if she thinks that Henry and I are going to love the other baby more than we love her? I press pause on the remote control and nudge Vanessa. ‘Sweetheart, can you do something for mommy?’

‘Of course,’ she says.

‘Can you give me a hug?’

Vanessa’s eyes light up and she turns around, so she can cuddle up against me. ‘I always want to give you hugs, mommy.’ She has been really desperate for my attention today and I feel so bad for making her feel a little less important. Normally, I notice everything she does, but seeing her like this because I missed something important, that breaks my heart.

‘You know I love you right?’

‘I know,’ she says. ‘Daddy told me you were feeling a bit sick, so I know you can be a bit tired and grumpy. But that’s okay, I still love you too.’

Sometimes I wonder how I managed to raise a young girl that is so well spoken. In school she always scores at the top of communication skills. Now her work is sometimes lacking and she is easily bored and because she has such strong communication skills, she has to stand on the hallway a lot because of her foul mouth, but other than that, I’m so proud of her.

Parents are always impressed with the way she introduces herself, before she plays with their kids. I was often afraid that she wouldn’t be accepted by her friends, her peers, because she was a lot better in communicating, but the other kids didn’t mind. They actually start to look up to her.

She is such a strong little person and I’m so proud of her.

‘Yeah, but remember: no matter how grumpy, tired, annoyed of sad I am, I will always love you.’

‘I know,’ Vanessa says. She has a tendency to push her hand under my shirt and place it on my back and right now, it’s no different. ‘I can’t wait until daddy officially adopts me.’

‘I can’t wait either.’ I press a kiss on her forehead and sighs deeply, yet content. The door opens and Kal barks in excitement. Normally Vanessa would’ve jumped up to rush to Henry, but now she stays put.

Henry walks into the living room and smiles brightly when he sees us. ‘There are my two favorite girls,’ he says, placing the bag on the table. He pulls out some chocolate. I know what he wants to do, but we both decided that we would wait until Vanessa was in bed. Time does go by faster when there is chocolate involved and he knows it. ‘Is there room for one more?’ he asks.

‘Always,’ Vanessa says with a smile. ‘Dad, you go where I was laying, so I can cuddle on your chest.’

Henry chuckles and positions himself right next to me. Vanessa curls up on his broad upper body. ‘Who wants some chocolate?’ he asks.

Vanessa opens her mouth and when I see him feeding her a piece of chocolate, I think to myself how much he loves being a dad. The role of being a father suits him so much.

I know he is going to be there for me, for Vanessa and all the babies we’ll eventually have. I’m so lucky to have this, this family. I never knew I wanted to have a family with a husband, a dog and kids. I thought that I’d be with Vanessa, until she was old enough to go to college and I’d still be a vet, a little older than forty and have an empty nest.

But now I’m going to have it all. I’m going to have a man who I probably will marry one day. I’m going to have kids. A house. A dog.

‘Have you been sweet to your mom?’ he asks Vanessa.

‘I’m always sweet to my mom.’

‘I know you are,’ he chuckles. ‘What is the plan for tonight?’

I place my head on his shoulder and my hand on Vanessa’s back. ‘This little girl has to go to bed early, because she has school tomorrow.’

Vanessa pouts, but realizes that won’t work. ‘Okay,’ she mumbles, before she yawns. ‘But I’m not tired yet.’

Henry chuckles. ‘Well, I have an idea. How about you try to stay in your own bed for as long as you can tonight?’

‘But daddy, what if I get scared?’

He shakes his head. ‘I don’t think that will happen, because Kal can sleep in your room tonight and the nights after that.’

Normally we wouldn’t allow Kal to sleep in her bed, but I think this is a smart move from Henry. When we bring a new baby in the mix, we need to make sure that Vanessa is loved and cared for properly, because a new baby is going to take lots of our time. And this is something that she wanted for so long already.

‘Really?’ she asks. ‘Mommy, you think this is a good idea?’

‘I do,’ I say with a smile.

Vanessa jumps off Henry and rushes to Kal. ‘You can sleep in my bed tonight. I’m going to get ready!’ She sprints upstairs and Kal follows her, barking loud.

‘You, my love,’ I whisper to him, ‘are a very smart man.’

Within record time Vanessa and Kal are ready for a good sleep. We give them both a big kiss and leave on her night light. I smile as I stare at my sweet daughter, who is maybe becoming a big sister very soon.

Henry and I go back downstairs. ‘You ready to take the tests?

‘Tests?’ I repeat. I search through the grocery bag, only to discover that Henry bought eight tests. ‘Sweetheart, one was enough.’

He blushes. ‘I just want to make sure.’

I lean in, giving him a kiss, before I walk to the restroom. I somehow managed to pee on all three of them and I know we have to wait at least two minutes.

It’s weird seeing Henry this nervous. He paces around the living room and I tilt my head as I watch him take a few steps, turn around, take another few steps before turning again and repeating it. ‘How much longer?’

‘One more minute,’ I answer. ‘Sweetheart, come here.’ I sit on the table and pull him in a hug. ‘No matter what the outcome is, we’ll get through it.’

‘But if it’s negative,’ he whispers, ‘what are we going to do then?’

I can’t stop my smile. ‘That means we have to try a whole lot harder to get pregnant,’ I say.

His eyes light up and he chuckles nervously, as if he can’t believe what I just said. ‘Are you serious?’

‘I figure that we shouldn’t wait too long. I know I want you to be the father of my kids. I know you want a bigger family.’ I pull him in for a long kiss and whisper: ‘And I don’t want to wait any longer.’

‘Shit, Olivia,’ he whispers. ‘I love you so much, baby.’

‘I love you too.’

‘Time’s up?’

I look at the clock and nod. ‘Yes, time’s up. Ready?’

‘More than ready.’

We both look at all three of the tests and they are all positive. Holy shit, we are going to have a baby, I think to myself. Henry’s eyes are filled with tears, causing me to cry as well. ‘Oh my God,’ I whisper.

‘We’re going to have a baby,’ he says. ‘We are going to become, truly, the Cavill-Tran clan.’

‘Tran-Cavill clan, but okay.’

He rolls his eyes, before he pulls me in for the most intense kiss he has ever given me. ‘You bet your ass I’m going to take such good care of all of you,’ he whispers against my lips. ‘And I’m going to make sure you won’t ever ever regret having kids with me.’

[invisibleanonymousmonsters]

Mobster!Steve Rogers - Pt. II

PART 1 

(Or you’ll be super confused.)

Y/N got lost in the painting before her. There was a tall flute of champagne in her grasp, but she had been getting so engrossed in the artwork that she kept forgetting she even had it.

It was Thursday night after work. Almost all of the galleries in New York would have open receptions that included free wine and hors d’oeurves. Y/N had a bad day at work, and decided to treat herself and try to calm down with art and alcohol.

Her eyes glanced around the gallery as she moved on to another painting. This gallery was definitely swankier than the others in the area. Y/N even had to stop her jaw from dropping when she overheard a potential buyer ask for a price and the curator gave a number in the thousands, as if it was no big deal. Well, Y/N guessed it wasn’t a big deal to the rich.

“Hi,” a voice said from behind Y/N.

She slightly jumped – not enough for anyone to notice – and turned around.

There was an older man smiling expectantly at her. He was well dressed and clearly one of the people at the gallery who could actually afford the art.

Yet everything about him felt off, sleazy. He was too confident, too sure of himself. It wasn’t charming. It was off putting.

“Hello,” Y/N replied with indifference before taking a sip of champagne.

“I’ve been trying to look at the art all night. But it seems you keep distracting me.”

Y/N was grateful she’d swallowed her champagne, because she snorted a laugh at the stupid pickup line.

“Is that so?” She made sure to make her tone sound as bored as possible.

Maybe her sheer lack of enthusiasm would scare him away.

“How about we get out of here, grab some real drinks?”

“No, thank you.” Y/N turned back to the paintings and took another sip.

“No?” He leaned forward so he was in her vision once again.

“Yes, that’s what I said.” She raised an eyebrow in challenge.

“Ah… I see. You have a boyfriend.”

Y/N couldn’t stop herself from rolling her eyes. She turned to him once again. “No, I don’t have a boyfriend.” Then she got herself riled up. She’d had a bad day and therefore this man was out of luck. “Why is it that men can’t seem to respect the word ‘no’? It doesn’t matter if I do or do not have a boyfriend. I’m not interested. And that should be enough.”

“So you’re one of those girls…”

Y/N closed her eyes for a moment. She knew she shouldn’t take the bait. She knew that! But this idiot of a man was making it so hard not to verbally destroy him.

“One of those girls?” She challenged. Her eyes flickered around, making sure they hadn’t gained an audience of any sort. After all, this was a fancy establishment and the last thing she wanted to do was cause a scene.

“Man-hater. Acts offended whenever a guy tries to compliment her. I swear, men can’t even talk to women without getting accused of being a predator.”

He was starting to sound more irritated and angry as he went on.

Y/N’s fire was suddenly extinguished when her survival instincts kicked in.

She felt the fear all women felt when men became unnecessarily angry.

It didn’t matter if she wanted to have a night alone, looking at artwork. She needed to leave before this stranger really caused a scene – or worse, he got physical.

Y/N threw back the rest of her champagne and smoothly placed it on the tray of a passing server. She made moves to quickly walk past him.

Her heart pounded when she felt him following her retreating steps.

“I’m not some creep you know?” He practically hissed at her.

The man was clearly just trying to make himself feel better now. And in the process, he was making Y/N feel more and more unsafe and uncomfortable.

“You don’t have to treat me like some predator.”

Y/N chose the route of ignoring now, just wanting to escape as soon as possible. She hoped he wouldn’t follow her outside. Then she’d have to order a car, not wanting to risk jumping on the subway and getting stuck in a car with him.

“Excuse me,” a voice suddenly interrupted from behind both of them.

Y/N froze. She swore she knew that voice.

She turned around to find Steve Rogers standing in a classic suit and tie. Beside him was another man, just as handsome and tall and buff man, with shaggy brunette hair and scruff.

“Mind your own business,” the man answered, not doing a very good job of hiding his annoyance from the interruption.

Steve didn’t like that. “I own this gallery, so it’s very much my problem.”

Y/N shifted her weight.

Steve had yet to truly look at her. However, his companion was trying to assess how distressed she was from the situation.

“And I don’t appreciate you making my patrons uncomfortable. Please leave.” There was no room for argument in his tone.

The man didn’t appreciate be brushed aside. He took an aggressive step towards the two men. “You’ve got some balls talking to me that way.”

But before he could take another step or say another word, Steve’s friend stepped forward with an expression that instantly convinced Y/N that he was about to kill the guy.

Steve quickly put a hand on his friend’s chest. “I’ll handle this, Buck.”

Buck. As in Bucky? Y/N remembered hearing that name. Steve used to mention him in their conversations all the time. He was Steve’s best friend.

He immediately stood down. Steve leaned in and added something in a whisper that Y/N couldn’t catch.

In that short-lived romance with Steve, Y/N could never even slightly imagine Steve angry or scary. 

But now he looked like a different person.

Y/N finally saw the mobster.

“What is this, some kind of joke?” The man spat right as Steve grabbed his upper arm in a vice-like grip and dragged him away. But he didn’t take him to the main entrance, instead going towards a back exit Y/N didn’t even notice before. Steve managed to do all of this without disrupting any of the guests.

Y/N was now uncomfortable in a completely different way.

She was trying to figure out if she could make a clean getaway.

But Bucky seemed to be reading his mind. “Mind waiting? I know Steve would like to talk to you before you run off again.”

Again.

Had Steve told Bucky about her? The idea of two mobsters sitting around and talking girls brought amusement to Y/N.

“S-Sure,” she didn’t mean to stutter. “Can I get you a glass of champagne? I promise it’ll be the good stuff that we keep hidden away.”

Y/N was taken aback that this man went from looking like he was about commit murder in plain sight to a charming gentleman.

“I’m good. Thank you though.”

He nodded. “Come on.”

She stuttered into step, not sure where he planned on taking her. But for some reason, she blindly followed him anyway.

Bucky led her to a back terrace. It wasn’t open to the public, but still lit to perfection.

An awkward silence settled between them.

“So you’re Bucky, right? The best friend since childhood. The one always pulling him out of fights.”

That earned her a chuckle from him. “That would be correct.”

Then the door opened to the terrace and they both turned to see Steve walking out as he straightened his tie and rebutted his suit.

Bucky turned back to Y/N and gave her a shy smile. “It was nice meeting you, Y/N,” and with that, he walked out of the terrace.

It took her a little too long to realize that she had never given Bucky her name.

Then the same energy that had passed between Y/N and Steve while they were dating returned as if it were only yesterday.

“So…Did you kill him?” Y/N couldn’t help but ask.

“He’s not worth the cleanup.”

Y/N’s eyes widened.

Then Steve broke into an innocent smirk. “I’m messing with you, Y/N.” She blinked at him even saying her name. “I wasn’t sure if you’d remember me. After all, it’s been, like–“

“A year and a half,” Steve finished for her with a jarring amount of confidence.

“Yeah,” she admitted. Though clearly she hadn’t forgotten him at all either.

“You’re kind of hard to forget,” Steve admitted quietly.

Y/N didn’t know how to respond to that, or if she even should. So, she decided to change the subject. 

“Do you really own this place?”

He looked around. “Yeah, I always had an affinity for the arts. I don’t run the place or anything. I just make sure it stays in business.”

“Guess that makes sense now that I think about it. You did go to art school after all.”

Steve seemed flattered that she remembered. “Yeah…but then my dad passed right after graduation and I…Well, I was expected to take over the family business.”

“I didn’t know that…I didn’t know that’s how you got to where you are,” Y/N admitted softly.

Steve cleared his throat. “How’ve you been?”

“Umm…fine.” Y/N hated questions like that. No one ever wanted an honest answer. She didn’t get why anyone even bothered asking it.

“Just fine?” Steve prodded, proving that he was one of the people that actually did care about her answer.

Y/N laughed then. “I mean…my life’s pretty much the same since you last saw me.”

God, she probably sounded like such a loser.

“That can’t be true,” Steve tried to argue.

She winced a bit. “Well, it is. Same apartment, same job, same friends–”

“Same boyfriend?”

Y/N stopped and read his face.

Steve instantly regretted his question. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t – I have no place asking you that question.”

“Steve, it’s OK.” Then she sighed. “Same boyfriend,” she confirmed, “as in there isn’t one.”  

He looked like he wanted to say something, but was using a lot of restraint?

“What?” Y/N asked.

“Nothing.”

“No, you want to say something,” she said through a smile.

“You don’t want to hear it.” “Well, now I have to know!”

“I just…I don’t get it,” Steve sighed.

“Get what?”

“How no one is worshipping the ground you walk on…”

Y/N rolled her eyes.

“See! You don’t want to hear it.”

Y/N cleared her throat and took a step closer to him. “Had it ever occurred to you that maybe the reason is due to how disappointing men are?”

Steve laughed. “Then I apologize on behalf of men.”

“Why? I wasn’t talking about you.” There was a playfulness in her eyes as she said it.

“Thank you, by the way,” Y/N muttered as she looked at the ground.

“For what?”

“Stepping in back there. I shouldn’t have riled him up. I was stupid – thought I could handle it.”

“It was nothing.” Steve shrugged.

“You and I both know that’s not true.” “I can go finish the job and kill him if it’ll make you feel better,” he offered.

“Steve!”

“What?” He asked innocently.

Then Y/N caught sight of his hands. His knuckles were red and irritated, a few of them were already a little bruised. She assumed that man wouldn’t be harassing any women for a little bit. And the world was better for it.

A chill suddenly went down Y/N’s spine. She wrapped her arms around herself tightly.

“Can I walk you home? Or I can get my driver–”

“Yes,” Y/N answered before he could offer another option.

On the walk home, it was like no time had passed at all. Steve asked Y/N about her job, her friends, and her family, remembering names and specifics details.

Y/N wished her apartment was further away. During their walk, she realized how much she had missed Steve. Yes, they had never defined their relationship or made it official. But they had gotten to know each other so quickly. Not to mention Y/N had immediately felt comfortable and close with him since date one.

“This is you, right?” Steve pointed to her stoop. This wasn’t the first time he’d walked her home.

Y/N fidgeted with her hands in front of her.

“Wanna…uhh…Would you like to come up?” The words spewed out before she even knew what she was trying to ask.

She didn’t know why she bothered asking. Steve was a gentleman, too polite–

“Yes,” he answered almost instantly.

Steve kept his distance as they went up the building stairs. He was even patient as Y/N fumbled to put her keys into the door.

But as soon as Y/N closed her apartment door behind them, Steve was on her.

She didn’t believe it was possible to have a more heated and passionate kiss than the one they had shared in that alley. 

Boy, was she wrong. 

Steve took charge, made her feel just how much he wanted her.

But then he pulled away and stared into her eyes. “Sorry…I–I…”

“Steve, I swear to god, if you go all nice guy on me now, I will kick your ass.” Y/N gave him a warning look that proved just how serious she was. “My bedrooms that door. So, what are you going to do about it?”

Steve smirked and was back on her.

To Y/N’s surprise, his hands drifted down her waist and then on the outsides of her thighs until they moved to the back and lifted her up. 

She giggled at the gesture and wrapped her legs around his waist.

Y/N let out another adorable giggle when Steve slightly ran them into a wall.

“I’m trying to navigate blind in an apartment I’ve never been inside. Give a guy some slack.”

————————————

Y/N awoke with the feeling like last night had been a dream. But the marks on her skin and the lingering feeling assured it that it was very much real. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a sleeping man on the other side of the bed to assure her as well.

Steve was nowhere to be found. Neither were his clothes.

Y/N sighed, trying to figure out how that all made her feel.

Was it for the best? Was she offended? Was she sad? Was she relieved?

Her racing thoughts stopped when she heard noises coming from her kitchen.

She quickly found a pair of shorts and an oversized band t-shirt that was laying around.

Deciding to be very quiet, Y/N slipped out of her room and found Steve in his undershirt from last night and boxers. His missing clothes were folded nicely on top of one of the seats at her counter.

Steve was lost in his own thoughts as he made breakfast.

Y/N leaned against the doorway taking it all in.

She wondered what it would be like for this to become her normal. Steve just looked like he belonged in her kitchen.

Y/N’s throat tightened and her stomach dropped when she realized that she didn’t know what it felt like to share her life with someone like that.

She quickly cleared her throat before the emotions could take over. “Thought you snuck out.”

Steve quickly turned around. “Really think I’d do that?” Y/N shrugged and stepped further into the kitchen. She sat at the kitchen counter and watched in amusement as Steve continued making them breakfast.

“I made coffee already,” he pointed to the filled pot with his spatula.

She nodded and poured herself some.

“Steve…” He quickly turned around and she noticed how sad his blue eyes looked. “Whatever you were about to say…Can we just – Is it OK if we enjoy this just a little bit longer?”

Y/N instantly shut her mouth and nodded. Then she eyed the scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast he’d cooked. “You didn’t have to make me breakfast…”

Steve just gave her a look that said, ‘Of course I fucking did. Why wouldn’t I?’

“Sorry my apartment is so…small.” Y/N apologized softly. She assumed he had not one, but multiple luxurious homes around the world. This place probably seemed like a dingy shoebox in comparison.

Steve looked around with a smile. “I love your apartment. It’s homey and cozy and it feels like you.”

Y/N was so taken aback by his retort that she just blinked at him.

They both ate in a surprisingly comfortable silence. Y/N kept wondering how he did that, how he made her feel so safe with him. 

Once Steve was finished, he leaned back in his seat and looked at her patiently. That was the only cue she was going to get.

“I just wanted to say that I’m sorry for how I ended things last time,” she told him gently. 

“You shouldn’t be sorry,” Steve corrected. “You did the right thing.”

Y/N’s mouth went dry. “I did?”

“I was selfish. I wouldn’t accept that you aren’t meant for my world. I refused to even consider how dangerous your life would become for just being with me.” Steve shook his head. “I was selfish,” he repeated.

Y/N refused to meet his eyes now. “So…what does that make last night?”

“Last night was…” Steve smiled shyly. “Last night was perfect.”

Y/N eyed him. “But you’re about to tell me that it’s all there’s going to be, aren’t you?”

Steve leaned forward and rubbed his face.

“Y/N, I can’t drag you into my toxic life. I won’t do that to you.” He shook his head at the mere idea. “Y/N… you deserve someone who can be an honest man for you. Someone who’s life isn’t going to get you killed.”

“You’ve never lied to me, Steve.”

“But I will. Because if I fully opened up that side of me, you’d never look at me the same. I can’t lie to you and I can’t terrify you with the reality. Don’t you get it?”

Y/N’s eyes glazed over, but she made herself keep it together. “So, what do we have then?”

Steve sighed. “I guess we just have the past.”

She scoffed at him. “After last night, with the way we feel when we’re together…You’re not even willing to try?”

“No, Y/N. I’m not willing to risk your safety.”

Then he was up, taking his clothes to the bathroom with him.

He came out a few minutes later, his hair fixed and his clothes looked like they could’ve come right from the cleaners.

“Please don’t hate me,” he finally whispered.

That’s when Y/N couldn’t keep the tears back any longer. She laughed from both the idea of hating him and being embarrassed for crying.

“Steve, I don’t think I could ever hate you.”

Then he couldn’t stop himself. Steve pulled Y/N into his arms, holding her tightly to his chest.

“I wish things were different,” he spoke into her hair. “I’m sorry, Y/N.”

And with that, he kissed the top of her head and made his escape.  

It was Y/N that pushed him away the first time. To protect her heart, her morals, probably her life.

But now it was Steve pushing her away. Not because he didn’t love her, but because he had to keep her safe.

----------------------------------------

And you all thought you were getting a second chance at a fluffy, happy ending...

Part III

[the-crisscrossed-system]

Hey guys, my name is Ali, and I have a little rant for you today.

Don’t read if you’re uncomfortable with discussions of parents breaking boundaries, talk of an abuser, light mentions of some of the abuse, angry/yelling text, and mild discussions of breakdowns. Stay safe everyone, don’t let my venting hurt you.

Okay well if you’re reading past this point, here I go.

What the fuck? Okay. So one of our abusers, one of my abusers, was a childhood friend. We knew her since early elementary school and she found many ways to make our life hell. She’s actually the cause of a few different splits in our system from different things at different times, but of course our host is still working on understanding all of that.

So anyway, about 4 or 5 years ago, something happened and we finally decided we were done. This was before the host knew about the system, so she thought it was her doing, but essentially we said we had enough. We were tired of all of the pain she put us through and we found a chance to get out of it and we took it. Now it was hard for us, someone we knew that long we were cutting out of our life, it was sure to leave a big hole, but we held strong on it. We refused to interact, hear her case, let her try to apologize because we knew if we did someone would crack and let her back and we couldn’t handle that again. So we went for radio silence.

Now here comes the problem. The host’s mother saw her like a second daughter. So did the host’s father, but he was a little more removed from it and let us make our choice, her mother didn’t. She kept trying to get us to hear her out and fix the friendship because our abuser missed us and was so upset. So we tried to explain to the host’s mother in the best way possible just some of the things she did to us (we’ll probably never tell her everything, I’m not here to unpack that). We explained how emotionally abusive she was, how only her feelings mattered, how our feelings, thoughts, opinions didn’t mean anything to her. How she downplayed our anxiety and depression (when that’s all the host thought she had) and made it seem like it wasn’t a big deal or we were faking it compared to her. She downplayed our physical disability because her life had to be worse all the time. She constantly had to play victim. We told all of this to the host’s mother and said we couldn’t deal with that treatment anymore, but she couldn’t seem to fully except it. And she still can’t.

Time and time again we said we don’t ever want our abuser in our life. Time and time again we said we don’t want her to know about us, don’t want her near us, don’t want our family to interact with her, and yet all these years later, the host’s mother is still Facebook friends with her, talking to each other on messenger and pretending like everything is fine. WHY?! Why is the way we feel not enough?!

It feels like sometimes this comes in waves, that every once in a while they talk or interact more, and right now seems to be one of those times. It started maybe a week ago when Kara caught the host’s parents discussing our abuser in the kitchen when we weren’t around. It was secretive, knowing that we wouldn’t want to know. Then it was here or there a bit of conversation. But yesterday drew the line.

I’ve been a bit front stuck due to a hard time with some of my trauma, trauma involving this abuser. Because she was my main abuser. But I went downstairs to try and function, and when I decided to eat I asked the host’s mother if she wanted something. This is how quick and to the point this conversation went.

Me: do you want something to eat

Mother: no I’m not really hungry, I had a bagel delivery

Me: oh?

Mother: yeah, [abuser] said she was getting bagels and asked what I wanted. So she picked one up for me and dropped it off.

...

DO YOU SEE HOW FUCKED UP THAT IS?! You know, we said so many times we don’t want this person in our life, and you fucking get a bagel from her? You let her come to this house without my knowledge?! You let her near me without my consent. I don’t care if I didn’t see her personally, she was at my house, she was near me. That sent me over the edge.

I panicked, I cried, I broke down, I got hit with flashbacks so hard.

Talk about a breach in trust. Talk about betrayal. You really care more about some other bitch’s feelings than your own child’s? How fucking could you?

I don’t care how little or how much you know of someone’s abuse. If your fucking child says “I don’t want that person around me anymore”, “I don’t want them in my life”, YOU FUCKING LISTEN TO THEM. THATS YOUR KID. 

I’m just so shocked. It took a day for me to post this and I’m still a wreak over it. How can I trust the host’s mother if this is how my feelings are treated? I’m so heartbroken. I feel so unsafe. Like I’m one stumble away from being right back in the situation I left and I can’t do it.

If anyone made it this far I’m sorry, I just needed to get this off of my chest. I hope you all have a good day.

-Ali

[raibebe]

Guardian

Genre: smut (!) Words: 5.822 Prompt: Guardian Demon Kihyun Warnings: Violence (he’s a demon, what did you expect), dirty talk, fingering, unsafe sex (please use protection, kids), light cumplay (I’m so sorry) 

A/N: The beginning is inspired by Clean eyes on AO3, I never finished reading it because it literally destroyed me several times, but if you are into that and into Chanki, I highly recommend it. Thanks to the lovely @im-a-special-bebe​ who made this beautiful moodboard. She posts those from time to time and they are awesome, so check her out. Also if anyone cares the working title was literally: Kihyun birthday demon, good job me. This is not part of my still unfinished Halloween promts, I just like supernatural concepts who am I kidding Not betaed because I’m a horrible person and because this is already late. So all mistakes are my own. Also I can’t believe I wrote this filth, I legit got possessed in the midst of writing this, I swear. Please feel free to sream at me about this once you’ve read it And most importantly: Happy belayed birthday, Kihyun. I hope your day was amazing and you will nerver read this 🖤

Demon: A vicious creature who is a subordinate to one of the rulers of hell and gifted with different supernatural powers. Some of them, especially the more powerful ones, once were angles before they became tainted by sin and fell from heaven.   Oddly enough their name originates from the Greek word Daimon translating to guardian spirit.

You usually weren’t one to go to shitty college parties at a random frat’s house, but your whole week had been fucked up and you really needed to get your mind off of the things that had happened. Not only had you managed to spill coffee on yourself twice but it also was in class in front of your crush. You also had tripped over nothing while running to catch your bus which had resulted in you scraping your knee open and missing the bus. You were also pretty sure a man casually walking the street had seen you fall and laughed at you. And if all of that wasn’t enough, you were pretty sure your crush had also seen you when you arrived late to class, drenched to the bone because it of course had not only started to rain but your umbrella had broken as soon as you had pulled it out of your bag.

So in conclusion your week hadn’t been going well. So what worse could happen if you went drinking alone at this random party because your best friend had cancelled last minute because she had to rush to the vet because her cat was hit by a car? Exactly: A lot of things. First your crush was also here which made you more nervous than it should have. But he was looking illegally good with his hair styled upwards and a neat button down with the sleeves rolled up. And second you had already been tugged away by one of the frat boys, who you shared some classes with, to join in a horrible drinking game which not only left you with a light buzz already but of course when you got up to catch some air outside you bumped into your crush resulting in him almost dumping his drink all over you.

This was what had led to your current situation which was simultaneously best and the worst that could have happened: You were standing in the empty kitchen with your crush, trying to make casual conversation while he was mixing himself a new drink because his old one had ended up all over the floor. “You look really hot today,” he said, letting his eyes roam your body, lips curling into a smirk behind his red plastic cup. Blushing you tried to hide behind your own cup, taking a long sip to calm your nerves. You did dress up a little bit, the dark blue dress showing off more skin than you usually showed and the black stockings hid your scraped knee while also looking cute. “We are in the same literature class, right? I never noticed how good you looked,” he kept flirting, raking his hand through his styled hair. You could just nod, silently sipping your drink until a stranger aggressively pushed past you in the kitchen, making you lose your balance, resulting in you almost falling if your crush hadn’t caught you. Blushing again you apologized for being so clumsy. “Well this isn’t too bad, is it?” Your crush asked, tightening the grip he had on your waist, pressing you against his chest.

Grinning and setting his cup down, he slowly closed the distance between you and him. Just seconds before your lips were touching his, the stranger who had shoved you on his way inside, loudly cleared his throat, making your crush stop and glare at him. “What’s your problem dude?” He asked while releasing you from his grip and walked over to the man, clearly irritated. Even though the stranger was a couple of centimetres shorter, he didn’t back down even in the slightest and stared directly into the other male’s eyes when he spoke. “I would rather not witness you tainting this kitchen or this girl right now,” he spoke calmly, pronouncing every syllable very carefully. “Tainting? What decade are you from dude?” Your crush asked, laughing at the very handsome stranger. His jaw seemed like it was chiselled out of marble, his pale skin just as flawless as his expensive looking black suit jacket and his dark eyes had a sharp edge to them, almost animalistic. When the stranger just raised one of his perfectly arched brows and didn’t give an answer, your crush huffed in anger. “So you ruin my chance to get laid tonight but don’t have the balls to talk back to me?” Hearing that almost made you choke on air. Who had said anything about you having sex with your crush tonight? Was that what he had planned on doing? Was he just after a quick fuck? Sure he already had a couple of girlfriends through the year but you had never taken him for the type to just be after that type of stuff. “I merely don’t want to descend down to your level of standards when it comes to conversations,” the stranger answered calmly, his face an expressionless mask and you couldn’t help the little laugh escaping your lips.

“You find that funny?” your crush snarled and turned back to you, face contorted with anger, making him look so unlike himself. “I... No, I jus-”, you stuttered trying to explain yourself. The way he looked at you really made you feel uncomfortable. “Hm, bitch, cat got your tongue now?” He continued to curse at you, taking a step towards you. “Don’t touch her again,” the stranger interfered, his tone carrying a strange weight that didn’t tolerate any misbehaviour. A wide grin was spreading on your crushes face when he slowly stretched his arm towards you, eyes on the stranger. Crowding your body against the kitchen counter you tried to bring as much space between you and your crush. Your heart was beating furiously, the blood rushing through your system drowning out the sounds of the party. “I’m giving you one last warning,” the stranger growled in response, eyes narrowed in anger. Before you could realize what was happening, the stranger had leapt forward and twisted the wrist of your crushes hand, that was about to touch your skin, making him wail in pain. “I don’t like being talked back to. I ordered you to not touch her and yet you chose to disobey,” the stranger spoke through gritted teeth, “You know what I do to those who disobey me?” When your crush didn’t answer, the stranger broke his expressionless mask and grinned. “I will show you exactly what I do, creature.” Taking the other’s wrist in both hands, the stranger quickly but pressure on the joint until you first could hear bones cracking before your crush screamed in pain, falling to his knees and clutching his hand which was now helplessly dangling off his arm.

Yanking your crush by his hair to make him look up, the stranger spoke dangerously calm: “Do not come near her again or I will take my time breaking all of your knuckles separately before I snap your wrist. I might not even stop there. Maybe I will take the time to dislocate your shoulder, break a couple of ribs or shatter the bones in your arms so you won’t even be able to touch anyone ever again. Did you understand?” Still whining in pain the other didn’t answer. “I asked a question, creature. I will not repeat myself.” “I understand, fallen one,” your crush whimpered, baring his throat to the stranger who immediately released his grip as if it was burning him. “Leave this place,” he spat out before looking at you for the first time tonight.

You didn’t even notice your ex-crush scrambling to get up and hurrying out of the kitchen when you felt the stranger’s gaze wandering over your body. To say you were terrified wasn’t even enough to describe the fear you felt. He had just broken this guy’s wrist just because he had tried to touch you again. “You have nothing to fear, girl. I can’t hurt you,” he said after a while. “I think you are perfectly capable of hurting me after what I saw,” you dared to say which earned you a grin from the man in front of you. “I didn’t say that I wasn’t capable of it. I just said that I couldn’t.” Swallowing around the lump that had formed in your throat, you willed your body to not shudder at his words. “We should leave this place. There are way too many disgusting creatures here and I don’t have the desire to let you witness any more violence today.” With that the stranger took your hand in his and led you out of the kitchen, through the mass of drunk people and out of the house.

When he began walking in the direction that your apartment was, your brain seemed to finally catch on to what had just happened and you shook off his hand. Stopping dead in his tracks, he looked down at your now separated hands before raising an eyebrow in question. Gaping at him with an open mouth you just managed to breathe out a “What the fuck” before the scene in the kitchen played again before your eyes. “You just broke that guy’s wrist.” “You just noticed?” He asked teasingly while running a hand through his messy dark brown hair. “He didn’t even do anything.” “He would have if I hadn’t stopped him. You heard him say it.” That knocked the wind out of your sails. He was right of course. But that didn’t mean that you had to admit it. “What if that’s what I wanted?” You asked, feigning confidence that you really didn’t have. For all that you knew this man was aggressive and did not shy away from using violence. “No.” “No? What do you mean no? Who are you anyways to patronise me like this?” You asked the stranger, getting angry. “You may call me Kiyhun,” he answered calmly, scanning the surroundings, probably for any passer-by that heard your shouting. “Oh, I may?” You asked, sarcasm dripping from your lips, crossing your arms over your chest.

“Listen up, princess,” Kiyhun began speaking while shedding his suit jacket, leaving him in a black turtleneck, before draping it across your bare shoulders, “I can sense that you are getting cold, scream at me all you want when I brought you back to your apartment but let me assure you: You did not want to go home and spend the night with that foul creature.” Blushing from his sudden gentle move, you pulled the jacket tighter around yourself, it was indeed getting chilly. When Kihyun began walking again, you hurried to fall into step with him again. You couldn’t quite make sense of him. First he was all violent towards that guy and now he acted all gentle towards you even though he was a stranger to you. You were pretty sure you had never even seen him even once on campus. A man like him stood out with his handsome features and sharp style. How did he know who you were and where you were living? “You still haven’t answered my question though,” you whispered after some time. “What question?” “I asked who you are.”

Wrinkling his nose, Kihyun almost nervously rubbed his neck. “That’s not an easy question to answer, princess. You weren’t supposed to ever meet me.” “What does that even mean?” You asked in confusion. “I was sent to protect you. In secret. From the shadows. It’s what I have been doing for a while now, trying to keep you away from foul creatures like that one at the party. But you are quite the stubborn person,” he chuckled darkly. “I didn’t think you would keep approaching him after you spilled coffee on yourself twice.” “You made me spill my coffee?” You didn’t believe him. How would he have done that if you had never seen him? “One of my many talents,” he only grinned and wiggled his fingers. Rolling your eyes at his innuendo, you groaned: “How are you any better than him?” “Never said I was. Technically speaking I’m worse than him but I already told you that I can’t hurt you, princess,” he told you with a wink before opening the door to your apartment complex for you, mind you without any key. Catching your surprised look he just cryptically said: “Told you those fingers had more talents.”

The walk up the stairs was quiet and before you could search for your keys, Kihyun had already opened the door to your apartment, holding it open for you with a sly grin. “After you, princess.” Blushing at the nickname, you stepped past him, toeing your shoes off and neatly hanging his jacket up. “What... What are we supposed to do now?” You asked him, unsure about what he had meant before when he had told you about how he was supposed to protect you. From what? It wasn’t like you lived in a terrible area of the city where you had to fear getting robbed or assaulted. “Whatever you want, princess,” Kihyun answered, slipping out of his shoes and making his way to your living room like he owned the place. Had he been in here before? Had he broken into your place? “I’m going to make a cup of tea, would you like anything?” You asked him, at a loss what you should do, too many questions filling your head. He just shook his head, inspecting the pictures you had put up on your wall. The little time it took for the water to boil was barely enough to sort out your thoughts. Who or what was the stranger? And what was that whole protecting thing about?

Now sitting on your couch with him, sipping your tea in silence you still weren’t sure what to make of everything that had happened today. “You look like you want to ask something,” Kihyun ripped you from your thoughts. “I don’t know where to start,” you admitted, searching for the right way to ask the question that had been in your mind for a long time now. “What exactly are you, Kihyun? You definitely aren’t human. Humans can’t cause accidents without even being in the same space or open doors without keys. Or tell people that they have been sent by someone to protect you from creatures, not men but creatures.” He chuckled and focused his wandering eyes back on your face. “I thought you would never ask, princess. I already told you part of my name. The rest of my title would be prince Kihyun, fallen angel, one of the 72 demons of Ars Goetia, tainted by lust, banned from heaven by the archangels themselves who used to call me their brother.”

Your mouth opened to reply something but your mind was wiped clean. What does one even reply to something like this? “That’s why he called you fallen one?” You decided to ask to fill the silence that had settled between you two. Kihyun just nodded, his eyes somehow seemed like he wasn’t with you, like he was lost in a memory or something. “And someone told you to protect me?” Another quick nod. “And who was that?” At that he just shrugged his shoulders. “They didn’t reveal themselves. But they needed to perform a powerful ritual to bind a prince of hell.”

“But why do I get a guardian demon? Everyone gets guardian angels.” That statement made Kihyun burst out in laughter. It was probably the most beautiful, melodic laughter you had ever heard. Not quite the laugh that made you laugh with them just for the sake of laughing but a laugh that made you smile softly and tinted your cheeks a rosy colour. “Angels wouldn’t even bat an eye at any human’s problems. They just don’t care. Everyone thinks they are these empathetic creatures who just want the best for everyone which is as far from the truth as it could be. They are cold-hearted, calculating beings with no desires other than keeping everything as it is and follow their orders without questioning them,” he lectured you, raking a hand through his messy hair again, causing a couple of dark strands to fall into his face. You had to grab your teacup harder to not give in to the need to push them back to feel if they were as silky as they seemed. “But what about demons? Aren’t they supposed to just follow their desires no matter what? And just mess with people just because it gives them joy? How does that make them any better?” “We aren’t. But we are different. Angles and demons or more specifically fallen angles are two sides of the same medal. One side cold and indifferent, the other only lead by their own desires. But both seem to only care about themselves,” he spoke calmly, stretching his arms out on the backrest of the couch, picking at a loose thread near your head.

“And what are you supposed to do now? Follow me everywhere like a stalker and keep embarrassing me in front of everyone when a creep is present?” “I suppose,” Kihyun sighed before he grinned at you, flashing his perfectly straight, white teeth, “But embarrassment doesn’t seem to quite work on you. You are quite persisting, princess.” You blushed but didn’t know whether it was because of the pet name so casually slipping over his plush lips or because of his teasing. “How long do you have to do this?” you asked after sipping the lost drop of your tea, gently setting the mug down. “Until the binding breaks I guess. Depends on whoever cast it in the first place. You don’t know anyone who would know how to summon and bind a demon by chance?” “I didn’t even know creatures like demons or angles were real until today. I still don’t really believe it,” you confessed, scared and fascinated by your guardian at the same time.

“Oh, I can show you just how real I am,” the demon grinned and scooted closer to you, your bare thigh touching his, the feeling of the rough denim making you shiver. “Sensitive, aren’t we, princess?” He grinned, placing one of his hands where your stocking met your bare skin, toying with the elastic, letting it snap against your skin in a playful manner. Taking a shaky breath, you tried to not let him affect you so much but he was really close to you and you could swear you could feel his breath ghosting over your lips. Getting bolder, Kihyun teasingly slipped one of the straps of your dress off your shoulder, kissing the skin gently before kissing his way up to your neck where he sucked harshly on your pulse point, leaving a purple bruise behind. Moaning in pleasure you bared your neck for him, granting him further access to your sensitive skin. You felt his chuckle more than you heard it, his teeth scraping against your skin making you whimper.

“I’ll give you one chance to tell me to stop, princess,” he spoke, his lips almost touching yours while his hand on your thigh slowly made its way to the hem of your dress. When he didn’t hear any words of complaint but only heavy breathing, he captured your lips in a heated kiss, claiming your mouth. Not wasting any time, he hiked your dress up and pushed your thighs apart to cup your panty clad sex, grinding the heel of his hand against your clit. Kihyun swallowed the moan that escaped your lips and let his tongue slip between your lips. Tangling your hands in his messy hair you tried to push him even closer to you, your body arching against him. Grinning he broke the kiss. “Eager to find out how good I can make you feel with my hands alone?” He asked while taking in your already wrecked appearance: Your eyes were blown wide in pleasure and you ground your hips shamelessly against his hand when he had stopped moving it against you. “Answer me, princess,” he whispered into your ear, his free hand grabbing your hair and exposing your neck to him. “Please, Kihyun,” you managed to say, biting down on your lip to stop the moans from spilling out. Chuckling he pulled the damp fabric of our panties to the side so he could gather your arousal on his fingers. “So wet for me already,” he moaned before attaching his lips to your neck again while slipping a finger inside you, pulling a satisfied moan from your lips which turned into a whine when he didn’t start to move his finger immediately instead gently circling his thumb on your clit. “You have to work for it, princess,” Kihyun breathed, placing a kiss on the abused flesh on your neck, where a dark bruise was already forming. Sighing while grinding your hips against his finger, you formed the words he had wanted to hear: “What do you want me to do?”

Growling deep in his chest, he captured your lips in a bruising kiss and thrust his finger into your heat harshly, filling the silent room with obscene noise. You broke the kiss with a loud moan when he added a second finger and crooked them just right so he was massaging your sweet spot. Just when you felt your orgasm approach almost embarrassingly quick, the demon quickly pulled his fingers from your heat and pushed them past your lips instead before any complaints could leave them. Almost instinctively you sucked on the digits and swirled your tongue around them, tasting your arousal. “I want you to undress, princess. Then you will sit on my lap where I can spread your beautiful thighs apart and reward your little pussy for being so obedient,” the demon demanded, his voice deeper than before, rumbling in his chest, before he pulled his finger from your lips and sat back against the couch, spreading his legs out. Wanting nothing more than his hands back on your body, you stood up with shaky legs, gradually slipping the second strap of your dress off. “You are in no position to tease me, princess,” Kihyun growled, palming himself through his jeans. The sight of his cock straining the dark fabric made your mouth water. Almost ripping your dress and panties off of you, you fell to your knees in front of him, stroking his strong thighs, eyes fixed to his hand moving lazily along the outlines of his dick.

“You want me that bad, princess?” You only managed to nod before he grabbed your hair and pushed you against him, making you nuzzle his clothed erection. A shaky breath left his parted lips when he felt your hands undo his pants to push them down, the lack of underwear making you chuckle. His cock wetly slapped against the skin of his abdomen where his shirt had ridden up, a bead of precum glistening at the head. When you just stared at the bare size of it, he grinned smugly. “What are you waiting for, princess?” His voice snapped you out of your stupor and you gave his dick a couple of experimental strokes, spreading the precum to make the slide easier.  Licking a stripe from base to tip, tracing one of the prominent veins, you took the head into your mouth while looking up at him. A curse left his lips and he rested his head back when you sucked harshly and swirled your tongue along the sensitive slit, tasting him. Feeling proud that you could make him loose his composure like this, you closed your eyes and slowly took more and more of his length into your mouth, bobbing your head and wrapping your fist around the part you couldn’t fit. “Fuck princess you look so good like this, your pretty lips around my cock, sucking it like you were made for it.” Kihyun’s praise made you moan around him, ripping a growl from him in response. “Look up at me,” he commanded and you gladly obeyed, moaning again at his appearance. He had taken off his turtleneck, exposing the pale flesh of his strong chest. But what turned you on even more was his heated gaze that had turned his eyes into dark pits of obsidian.

He grabbed your hair again, pulling you off of his cock with a wet pop. Catching your breath, you both just stared into each other’s eyes for a moment. You were sure you looked just as fucked out as he did, squirming on your knees and pressing your legs together, your sex clenching around nothing in need. “Get up here, princess,” Kihyun ordered, tapping his lap. Not before pressing a last kiss to the flush head of his cock, you slowly climbed onto his lap and claimed his lips in a kiss that was more teeth, tongue and want than anything else. When he grabbed your hips to grind your pussy against his erection, you loudly moaned into each other’s mouths, trying to swallow the sounds. “Please, Kihyun,” you begged again, bracing your arms behind yourself on his thighs, trying to get more of that sweet friction by rolling your hips down against him harder. “Not yet, princess,” he moaned, reaching between your bodies to rub steady circles on your sensitive bundle of nerves, making you cry out both in pleasure and frustration, “I want to see you cum like this first, squirming on my lap, desperate for me to fill you up with my cock, spreading you open.” Another loud moan left your lips at his filthy words. This man would be the death of you, you were sure. You were grinding against his length like a horny teenager trying to get off as fast as you could just to finally feel him inside you. You gasped loudly when he closed his lips around one of your nipples and twirled his tongue around the sensitive nub. Grabbing onto his messy hair, you held him in place, squirming between his hand on your clit and his hot mouth. Feeling your orgasm threatening to wash over you, you aimlessly yanked at his hair, suddenly feeling something hard beneath your hands. Looking down in confusion you saw two little horns hidden in Kihyun’s hair. The realization that he actually still was a dangerous creature along with his eyes looking up at you from where he was still sucking on you nipple, made you trip over the edge, your orgasm hitting you hard.

Throwing your head back in pleasure you felt his grip around your hips tighten. The moan of the demon’s name got stuck in your throat when he suddenly lifted you up and thrust his length into you while you were still shaking and clenching around nothing from your orgasm. A loud curse left Kihyun’s lips when he ground his dick inside you. “Fuck, you feel so good, princess, squeezing my dick like that.” Still riled up despite your orgasm, you kissed him feverishly, fingers finding his horns again, stroking along the base of them. Gasping against your lips, Kihyun bucked his hips up, fucking his erection even deeper into you. “Keep touching me like that and I’ll fuck you so hard you won’t be able to walk tomorrow,” the demon growled into your ear before sucking another hickey on your neck. Grinning you lifted your hips and sank down on him again, loving the slow drag of his cock against your sensitive walls. Picking up a slow rhythm, you tried to find the right angle for him to hit that spot inside you that made you see stars. Gasping when his cock was hitting it just right, you yanked at his hair to pull his lips from your neck to kiss him feverishly. Moaning into the air between you, you picked up the rhythm of your hips and gently massaged the base of his horns before whispering: “Fuck me like you mean it, demon.”

That made something snap inside Kihyun, an inhuman growl escaping his throat as he gripped your hips hard to hold you in place to fuck up into you hard and precise, making you squirm and moan in pleasure. “Watch your mouth, princess. Even with you on top of me, I’m the one in charge, you understand that?” He spat out between ragged breaths, landing a harsh slap on your ass, making you arch in his hold. Suiting the action to the word, he placed his feet more firmly to the floor, getting more leverage to slam his cock inside you. With each thrust his hips met yours and you let your head fall beside his, the breathy moans you let out only spurring him on even more. “Is that what you wanted, princess?” he growled, “You want to cum all over my cock?” Not able to form any coherent sentences, you just let out an embarrassingly high pitched moan, clutching tighter to him, raking your nails down his shoulders, feeling the knot in your stomach already tighten. It just took Kihyun to slip a hand between your bodys to rub quick circles into your clit, to trip you over the edge, the orgasm hitting you even harder than the first one. Your whole body was trembling and it felt like your blood had been exchanged with molten lava. You let out a string of curses, clutching tight to your guardian demon, riding out the pleasure with soft circles of your hips. Yanking his head down so you could kiss him again, you lazily licked into his mouth.

“I’m not finished with you princess,” Kihyun breathed when you two separated, grinding his still hard cock into you, making you whimper, your body still sensitive. He gave you some time to come back down from your orgasm, gently running his hands along the curves of your body. “Come on princess, be a good girl for me. Hands and knees, let me see that beautiful ass,” he instructed when your legs finally had stopped shaking, lifting you off of his cock. You couldn’t stop the whimper that escaped your lips at the sudden emptiness when you shifted on the sofa, arching your back. Chuckling he grabbed a handful of your ass and kneaded the soft flesh. Almost purring you wiggled closer to him until you could feel his cock slide against your backside. Grinding against you, the demon pushed a hand between your shoulder blades so your upper body was pressed against the cushions, making your back arch. “So pretty and all spread out for me,” he murmured, grabbing the base of his erection tightly and teasing your entrance with the head of his dick. “Please,” you begged, needing him back inside you.

“If you ask so nicely, who am I to deny you?” The demon growled, pushing into you in one swift move, wasting no time in setting a harsh pace, the sound of your skin slapping against each other filling the silence of the room along with your moans and his groans. When he started to grip your ass so tight, you were sure you’d have bruises tomorrow, pulling you back onto him and his rhythm faltering you could tell that he was getting close. Growling deep in his chest, the demon grabbed your hair, pulling you up so you where flush against him, the change of the angle making you cry out and clench around him. “Fuck, princess, keep squeezing me like that and I won’t last much longer,” he panted into your neck, snapping his hips more vigorously and reaching around you to rub tight circles in your clit. “I’m so close please don’t stop,” you begged him, tears close to spilling over from all the pleasure you were feeling, throat raw from all the moaning. When you were right on the edge of your orgasm, you clenched down around him, squirming in his hold. But that was already enough to send him over the edge, spilling his cum deep inside of you, biting down on your shoulder to muffle his load moan.

Groaning he let go of you, causing you so slump back against the sofa, his softening cock slipping out of you. “No, no, no,” you squirmed, pushing back against him, “Need you back inside me.” “Don’t worry princess,” Kiyhun chuckled, watching his cum drip out of your clenching pussy, “Three time’s the charm, they say.” Dragging a finger through your folds, he gathered the cum that had leaked and fucked it right back into you, ripping a moan from your throat. “Ass up,” he commanded and you immediately obeyed, arching your back further. Slapping your ass once, the demon fucked three of his fingers into you before attaching his lips to your clit, sucking harshly. With how close you had been before he had reached his climax, it didn’t took long for you to be right on the edge again, your moans rising in pitch. “I’m gonna cum,” you choked out, not even realizing the tears that were staining the pillows beneath you. “Cum for me, princess,” Kihyun breathed, barely audible over the sound of your moans and whimpers but the vibrations it send to your clit send you over the edge for the third time that night, your whole body going taut before every strength left you, slumping against the cushions, legs twitching. Pleased with how fucked out you were, the demon pulled his fingers from your twitching heat, licking them clean from your arousal, humming in satisfaction.

“You believe me now when I tell you I’m real despite being a demon?” He breathed into your skin when he kissed his way up your spine before pulling your body flush with his, wrapping you up in his arms. “Very real,” you murmured, reaching to tread your hands through his damp hair, trailing your fingers over his horns, making a sigh leave his lips. “I like those,” you giggled, taking a closer look at his dark horns peeking out from his messy hair. Chuckling he nuzzled his head into your hand. “If you keep scratching them like this, I’m going to fall asleep in no time.” “No round two?” You playfully pouted at him. “I don’t think either you or me have another round in us right now,” Kihyun grinned, running a hand along your still shaking thigh. “How come you are this exhausted? I thought demons tainted by lust could go for longer,” you teased him, pillowing your head near his heartbeat. “Restricting myself costs quite some energy, princess. I didn’t plan on suddenly knocking various furniture everywhere because my wings decided to sprout because I lost control completely. My horns weren’t supposed to come out either,” the demon said, voice already heavy with sleep. “You have wings? Like with real feathers?” Pulling you closer to him, he softly kissed your hair. “If you are a good girl and stay out of trouble, I might show you sometime.”

[aidanchaser]

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Everyone Lives AU

Table of Contents beta’d by @ageofzero @magic713m @aubsenroute @ccboomer @somebodyswatson

Chapter Five Lily’s Loss

He slammed into the magical barrier and crumpled to the ground in a most undignified manner. Slowly, physical form aching and strained, he picked himself up and turned on the nearest cloaked figure.

“Crucio!” he shrieked, and the curse burst from Selwyn’s wand, fueled by his fury.

As the curse struck him, Stan Shunpike collapsed to the ground and writhed in pain.

This oaf was easy to unleash his rage on. He had known this boy would be slow, dim-witted as he was, and doubly so under the Imperius Curse. So he had sent the boy after the half-giant abomination. But of course Alastor Moody had seen through his plans. Of course Moody had been prepared! He should have known!

He was certain that Dumbledore, that fool, would have placed the boy with his mother. But Moody was craftier — not a better wizard by any means, but he thought differently than Dumbledore. Yes, Moody would not allow the boy to travel with someone as obvious as the mother, would have wanted to see to the care of the boy personally. At least, that was what he had expected.

He hurled a curse at the barrier with a cry of rage but it did not even ripple. The Order had outwitted him, and he had nothing to show for it but a broken wand. He did not feel sorry for Lucius’ loss, but Ollivander would certainly know what it cost to lie to him.

Harry screamed as he returned to his own mind and body. He hurt — worse than his nightmares. Something burned against his stomach and his scar felt like it was going to tear his head open. His scar had not hurt this much since Voldemort had possessed him in the Ministry of Magic, which itself was a pain only comparable to the moment of Quirrell’s death, when the shadow of Voldemort’s soul had passed through him.

“Harry,” a distant voice pleaded, “you’re alright — Harry, you’re safe —”

Something cool and wet pressed against his scar. It did not help with the pain.

But it was only pain, and it was pain that Harry was familiar with. He swallowed down the agony and opened his eyes. His father hovered over him, along with Ted Tonks. Both of them had lost colour in their faces and Harry wondered just how bad his fit had been.

Though his head throbbed and his stomach burned, he managed to say, “I’m alright.”

“Not well enough to travel by Portkey, I’d wager,” Ted said.

“I can send word to the Burrow,” James said, “let Molly and the others know we’ve made it here safely.”

“Where are we?” Harry asked. “I can take a Portkey —”

“Cedric’s not fit for travel anyway,” James said. “You just rest.”

The wet towel on his forehead fell into his lap with a plop as Harry sat up suddenly. He swayed, dizzy from the sudden motion, and splayed his hands against the worn bedspread to steady himself. “What do you mean Cedric’s not fit for travel?”

“He’s alri —”

But James was interrupted by a far colder, unsympathetic voice. “We can’t stay,” Regulus Black said, standing in the doorway, hands full with a bloody bundle of clothes.

Harry’s stomach turned.

“And what would you have us do?” James asked. His voice was surprisingly calm for how tight his hand was on Harry’s shoulder. “The Portkey leaves in —” he checked his wristwatch “— two minutes. Cedric’s hardly conscious, and Harry’s only just woken —”

“We’ll be lucky to have two minutes before the Ministry arrives,” Regulus said. “The Trace surely followed Harry as all those curses were cast around him. The Ministry knows he’s here, and I think we would all prefer if they did not find him when they arrived.”

James deliberated, but it was brief. With a colourful curse, he said, “I’ll get Cedric, then.”

Harry watched his father disappear into a hallway. Though a trip by Portkey sounded unappealing, he thought Regulus was right. He did not want the Ministry to know he was here, and he certainly didn’t want them to know he carried a piece of Voldemort’s soul with him.

Panic seized Harry suddenly, and his pain was forgotten as he patted down his shirt. Something had cut his clothes open, and while he found the source of the pain in his abdomen — a crescent-shaped burn where the diadem had been — he saw no sign of the diadem itself.

Had it fallen? Had Voldemort picked it up? Had his father seen it?

Then Regulus, as he saw Harry’s panic, dumped the bloody sweatshirt into his lap. Through the lump of fleece, Harry felt the shape of the diadem. He did not know how Regulus had come by the diadem, but he was glad to know it was safe.

Harry pulled it against his chest and closed his eyes. The scar on his forehead pulsed with pain as he did, and Harry wondered what had caused the Horcrux to hurt him. He had handled it easily before tonight. What had changed? Had it reacted to being so close to Voldemort? Was it because Harry had tried to kill Voldemort?

Though Harry wasn’t exactly the one who had fired that burst of golden flame that had struck Voldemort. Harry’s wand had done that on his own.

“You sure you’re alright, son?” Ted Tonks asked. He picked up a hairbrush from a vanity and handed it to Regulus, but his eyes were on Harry. “You took a hard fall when you came in. We can find a way to hide you when the Ministry comes.”

“I’ll be okay.” Harry rubbed his eyes and looked around the room. He guessed by the faded Quidditch posters and Hufflepuff banner that this was Tonks’ room. “You guys have done enough for us.”

Ted laughed. “Without you, Dora would have run off with Lupin in the middle of the night, and Dromeda would’ve taken their heads off when they returned. Your dad’s as well, I reckon, if he’d been in on it. And, despite the attack, you arrived here safely. No, I think today worked out well enough.”

James returned, with Cedric slumped against him. Cedric was pale, and blood covered the front of his shirt, but Harry saw no other sign of a wound, nor clues as to how Cedric might have been hurt. Hagrid loomed behind them and carefully shouldered his way into the room.

Andromeda Tonks followed. Her face was pinched with worry as she wiped blood from her hands onto a towel. She looked uncomfortably like Walburga Black’s portrait as she scowled at the hairbrush in Regulus’ hand.

“I still think this is unsafe,” she said.

“You’ve healed Hagrid up alright,” James said, “and done the best you can for Cedric. Picksie should have Apparated to the Burrow with the potions that Cedric needs, so I think that’s the best place for us.”

Cedric, weary and weak as he looked, lifted his own hand to the hairbrush. Hagrid, too, put a large finger on the bristles.

“Wait —” Andromeda said, but her hand didn’t reach for Cedric, it reached towards Regulus.

Harry had never considered just what Regulus turning to the Order must have meant for Andromeda, who had left her family as completely as Sirius had. Her eyes were soft as she looked at Regulus, and Harry forgot that she had ever looked like Walburga. He remembered Tonks instead, and how sad she had looked all throughout last year — sad, and alone.

Andromeda’s hand hesitated, inches above Regulus’ forearm, the barest indication of affection, but suddenly she withdrew it. “Tell Nymphadora to send word she’s alright,” she finally said.

Regulus nodded.

“Harry,” James said quickly, “the Portkey —”

Harry scrambled to his feet and put his hand on the brush handle as it glowed blue. He was jerked forward as if a hook had tucked into that very same crescent shaped burn on his stomach. He tightened his grip on the bundle in his arms. The next thing he knew, he slammed into the ground outside the Weasleys’ house.

Carefully, Harry picked himself up and was glad that at least he had managed to complete the journey without puking. Cedric had not been so lucky. He stumbled away from James and heaved a stomachful of something dark and viscous into Mrs Weasley’s flowerbed.

The door flew open and light flooded the garden. Ginny Weasley practically leapt down the front steps until she reached Harry, where she pulled him into the tightest embrace Harry had ever received from her.

“Hi,” he said.

And then someone was pulling them apart.

Mad-Eye Moody put himself between Harry and Ginny and pointed his wand at Harry’s chest.

“Hey!” Hagrid shouted. “What d’yeh think yer —”

Mad-Eye ignored Hagrid. “What book did I give Longbottom after our first lesson?” he asked, scars on his face drawn together in a scowl.

Harry blinked, searching his memory for such a small, insignificant detail. “I don’t —”

“Book — Longbottom — first lesson!” Mad-Eye barked.

“I don’t know! Something about herbal remedies — Herbal Antidotes, maybe?”

This seemed to satisfy Mad-Eye, who swung his wand between James and Cedric. “And you two — Kingsley got word to me that you never made it to him.”

“You-Know-Who figured out who Harry was,” James said, voice still surprisingly calm. His knuckles, however, were strained with his tight grip on his wand. “I changed the plan and stuck close to Harry. Ask whatever you need to, Moody, but quickly. Cedric’s lost a lot of blood and I promised Andromeda I’d get a potion in him as soon as he arrived.”

“What were Dumbledore’s last words to the Order?”

James closed his eyes. “Hope will be our most powerful weapon —”

“— but hope is nothing without trust,” Cedric finished, though his voice was weak.

Satisfied, Moody turned his wand on Regulus, but before Moody could say anything, Regulus Transfigured himself into a cat and slunk inside behind James and Cedric.

Finally, Moody lowered his wand.

“Well, aren’ yeh goin’ ter interrogate me?” Hagrid asked, still glaring at Moody. “Yeh gave everyone else the bloody run around.”

“You’re half-giant,” Moody grunted. “Can’t be Polyjuiced.” He glanced out at the dark yard. “Best get inside, Potter. No knowing who’s going to arrive tonight.”

“What was all that about?” Harry asked as Ginny pulled him into the house.

“Mad-Eye said you were ambushed,” Ginny whispered, “even though no one outside the Order knew you were being moved tonight. He said someone must have betrayed the Order tonight.”

Harry swayed on his feet, and perhaps might have fallen over if Hagrid hadn’t put a hand on his shoulder.

“Easy, lad,” Hagrid said. “Yeh took a nasty fall an’ a hasty Por’key trip. Bes’ not move too quickly.”

Harry wasn’t sure his unease had anything to do with those things, but he let Ginny lead him into a chair just the same.

James had gotten Cedric seated on the sofa. Fleur Delacour checked Cedric’s pulse with her wand and kept up a steady stream of conversation to keep him conscious while Picksie dug through a box of potions bottles for a Blood-Replenishing Potion. Molly Weasley paced nervously behind the sofa, and her eyes kept drifting to the grandfather clock that did not tell time, but rather told her where her family was. Unfortunately, even hers, Ginny’s, and Bill’s hands pointed to “Mortal Danger.”

“Mum, sit, please,” Bill Weasley said, and pressed a cup of tea into his mother’s hands.

But Molly Weasley did not sit. She did not even seem to notice the tea in her hands.

“Here!” Picksie said suddenly, and produced a bottle of Blood-Replenishing Potion.

James took it and uncorked it, only to have it snatched from his hands by Fleur, who very tenderly helped Cedric drink it down.

Harry glanced at Bill to see if he was worried at all by Fleur’s gentle treatment of Cedric, but Bill did not seem bothered in the least. He had found a bottle of Firewhiskey and was pouring it into his mother’s teacup. Next, he filled a glass for Hagrid, who took it readily. He handed another to James, who looked at it uneasily, then set it aside. Harry watched as a familiar black cat with a white stripe down its chest jumped up on the table and eyed the glass.

Before Harry could ask Regulus why he was still a cat, there was a crash in the kitchen. Everyone jumped and reached for their wands — but it was only Tonks. Her nose shrank and regrew as she entered to assure them all that it was truly her. In her hands, she carried a scrap of leather that might have once been a shoe and a rusty oil can.

“Moody’s doing a perimeter check,” she said, “making sure the protective charms are all in order. Doesn’t trust my work, I s’pose. Er — I think I broke a bowl just now. I’m sorry, Molly, I’ll set it right.”

But Molly didn’t seem interested in the bowl. Her eyes were on the worn objects in Tonks’ hand. “Were those Portkeys?” she asked, voice just barely audible.

Tonks winced. “Er — yeah. Arthur and Fred should’ve been back first, and the other one should’ve been James and Cedric. But they found their way back alright anyway, Molly, so I’m sure Arthur and Fred will too.”

Mrs Weasley burst into tears. Bill wrapped his arm around her shoulder and guided her to the sofa.

“They’ll be alright, Mum,” he said.

Harry swallowed down his own worry and watched Ginny’s face, but it was hard to tell how she felt. Her brown eyes were hard and her face was pinched tight. She was so free when she expressed her joy and anger, much like Lily was, but she didn’t wear her worry the way Molly Weasley did, nor even the way Lily did. She buried it, and Harry wished there was a way to tell her she didn’t have to, not with him.

He took her hand and squeezed it tightly. She squeezed back.

A blue flash of light appeared in the garden and Molly hurried to the window. She reached for the floral print curtains and peered outside. “It’s Remus and Hermione —”

Tonks was already running for the door. She scrambled around Hagrid and stubbed her toe against the sofa, but none of that seemed to slow her down as she flew down the steps and out into the garden.

“Tonks!” James shouted after her. “Wait —”

But Harry and Ginny, too, were already running for the door. Harry was hardly down the porch steps when Hermione grabbed him and buried her face in his chest. She tried to stifle a sob, and Harry understood perfectly.

Then James pulled them apart, though less aggressively than Moody had torn Ginny and Harry apart.

“Hermione,” he said in a calm voice, hand on her shoulder and wand aimed at her chest, “I need you to tell me how you helped Regulus Black escape Hogwarts.”

She frowned at him and down out his wand. “I — Harry and I used a Time Turner to get Buckbeak up to Flitwick’s office. Is it important? I don’t understand —”

“Yeah,” Harry said, “that’s what we did.”

And James lowered his wand. He didn’t not look relieved one way or the other. Instead, he looked incredibly tired as he stared at Tonks and Remus, locked in an embrace.

“Tonks,” James called, though it came out more like a sigh, “did you clear him?”

Remus let go of Tonks. “She did. There was a kiss first — perhaps not the most professional of moves from a Ministry Auror — I’m glad you and Harry are alright.”

James lowered his wand and cracked a smile, but the exhaustion did not fade. “Only cost us the Firebolt. Should’ve known by the name that it was flammable.”

Tonks raised an eyebrow. “And no scorches, you know?” she gestured below her waist.

“Everything intact.” James’ smile widened into a proper grin, and Harry thought that the ease of this exchange, just as much as the vows exchanged and toasts given, solidified Tonks as family.

“Where’s everyone else?” Hermione asked.

“Cedric’s inside,” Harry said, “but he’s alright, mostly. He —”

A burst of yellow light appeared on the horizon suddenly, an explosion of force, and the ground shook beneath their feet. When the shaking stopped and Harry found his footing again, he saw that something was burning in the hills. Yellow and orange flames burned bright against the night sky and plumes of black smoke blocked out the stars.

The door to the Burrow slammed open once more and Cedric stumbled down the front steps.

Fleur grabbed him before he could fall into the pathway. “Cedric! You are still ‘urt — you cannot —”

“That’s my house!” Cedric tried to pull away, but he didn’t have the strength. That seemed to be enough to convince him that Fleur was right. His shoulders slumped. “My parents are there —”

James stiffened suddenly, like a deer caught in a hunter’s sights. His eyes fixed on the blaze and Harry knew exactly what the sudden loss of colour on his father’s face meant.

Either Sirius or Lily were in trouble.

Remus and Tonks were already gone. They had run for the Apparition line the moment Cedric had announced that it was his home under attack.

Fleur carefully sat Cedric down on the doorstep. “Bill and I will ‘elp,” she said, and kissed Cedric’s cheek. “Your family will be fine. There iz nothing to worry about.”

She and Bill, too, ran for the Apparition line.

Harry glared at his father. “Aren’t you going to help?”

“I’m staying with you,” James said. Despite his ashen face, his voice was still calm. “Come on, we should wait inside.”

But when Harry looked back, he saw that Hagrid, Picksie, Molly, and Regulus gathered in front of the house to watch the fire on the horizon.

“But how?” Cedric stared at the distant flames. “How could they get through? There were barriers… no one should have been able to get in — I saw the barrier keep out Voldemort at the Tonks’ place — so how could they…”

Regulus’ voice, though quiet, seemed to cut through the night as easily and clearly as a dragon’s claws through flesh. “As an Auror, I imagine you’re familiar with the ways a Death Eater can infiltrate someone’s family.”

Harry would always be amazed that the Black family, a family so insistent on appearances and impressions, had managed to raise two sons who each had so little tact.

“I’m sure your parents are fine, Cedric,” Ginny said, and glared at Regulus.

It was a harsher glare than even Sirius might have given in this situation. Harry wasn’t sure if there was a metric for a relationship forged on slices of ham on a rainy Quidditch pitch. Regulus spoke highly of Ginny, and had a healthy respect for Ginny’s curses, as anyone who knew her well did. And in turn, Ginny did not tolerate Regulus’ sulking, but that was true of how she treated Harry, too. She did not let either of them brood.

Even now, she seemed to see the hard look in Harry’s green eyes and the crease of worry on his forehead. She squeezed his hand and leaned her head against his shoulder. Harry was surprised by how easily that comforted him. He knew that she, too, had to be worried for her father and brothers. He leaned against her, hoping that if they shared each other’s fear, it might hurt a little bit less.

Then there was the pop of an Apparition and both Harry and Ginny straightened and lifted their wands.

Molly Weasley, however, did not share their caution. She shrieked and ran forward, as Bill walked into the light spilling out from the house. He carried a body in his arms, face splattered in something dark, and red hair singed.

“Oh — Georgie —” Molly wailed, attempting to take George from Bill’s arms.

Ginny left Harry and ran to help her mother. She and Molly, aided by Hermione and Picksie, helped carry George inside. Bill went to follow but James pressed his wand into Bill’s chest.

Harry blinked. “Dad, he was just here.”

James swallowed hard. “He just came back from a battle. He could be anyone.”

Bill’s scars glinted in the waning moonlight. They were criss-crossed with scratches and dirt, and his face was heavy with exhaustion. Whatever he had just come from, however brief he had been there, had been bad.

He raised his hands in surrender. “Please, Potter, I want to get in there and tend to my brother. Do this quickly.”

“At our first headquarters,” James said, “what was the engraving on the winerack in the cellar?”

“Merlin, how should I know that? Regulus charmed it so no one but he and Sirius could get in after Mundungus —” Though it was a tired smile, it was a smile nonetheless. “Clever,” Bill said. “If I’d tried to lie, come up with something —”

“Before you go inside,” James interrupted, “is Lily alright?”

Bill shook his head. “When Fleur and I got there, we didn’t even see a way in. Then Tonks came out of the fire, dragging George with her. I saw he was injured, so I took him and left. Sorry — I have to figure out what cursed him, see if I can’t help.” And Bill ran inside.

Harry started running for the Apparition line, but this time it was James who grabbed his shoulder and held him back.

“Harry, you can’t go after her —”

“Why the bloody hell can’t I? Why won’t you?”

“You were just cursed — injured — I’m staying with you. Trust Remus —”

“I can still fight!”

“Harry,” Cedric said. His voice was not loud, but it carried across the garden. “She’ll be alright.”

The scowl on Harry’s face and the tension in his shoulders did not abate, but he did not try to break away from James. He glared at the distant fire, trying to understand how the Diggorys had been betrayed — or had one of Cedric’s parents given them away? Harry had not always liked Amos and Fiona, but he could not imagine them intentionally harming the Order.

Moody limped around from the east side of the house. His eye whirred, almost in a rhythm with his uneven walk as he approached the group transfixed by the blaze.

“Explains why I found Sirius’ Portkey, but not hide nor tail of Lily’s,” Moody grunted. “I’ll go and help. If I don’t return, Potter, you’re in charge.”

Harry watched his father’s shoulders stiffen as Moody disappeared into the darkness and a crack filled the garden. There was a strange quiver in James’ lips, but then they stiffened into a firm line and even quirked into a forced smile. “Don’t worry, Harry,” James said, “he didn’t mean you.”

Harry swallowed hard, thinking that no, Moody certainly hadn’t meant him, and while he appreciated his father’s attempt at levity, Harry still had his own weight to bear. It just wasn’t leadership of the Order.

Harry grimaced as he realised that he was already off to a poor start when it came to his own task. The diadem, nearly lost in battle, now sat unguarded on a chair in the Weasley’s living room. He considered going back inside to retrieve it, but a pair of sharp cracks had him rushing forward instead.

James put a hand on Harry’s chest and raised his wand.

Fiona Diggory and Fleur staggered up the path. Fiona leaned heavily on Fleur, and both were covered in something dark. Harry prayed it was soot and not blood.

Behind them came Moody, levitating an unconscious Amos Diggory.

Cedric left the support of the porch and stumbled down the path. “What’s happened? Mum —”

Fiona coughed, and when her hand came away from her mouth it was covered in black soot. “I’m alright, son.” She coughed again.

“Where’s my mum?” Harry asked, looking anxiously between Fiona, Fleur, and Moody.

James sighed. “Cedric — can you verify —”

“I think I know my own mother.” Cedric said.

“Idiot boy,” Moody snapped. He set Amos down in the grass and pointed his wand at Cedric. “I could have killed each one of you by now. You’ve let your guard down. Constant vigilance!”

Cedric glowered at Moody. “This isn’t a teaching moment! I need to know what happened to my mum and dad!”

“No, Diggory, it’s not a bloody teaching moment. It’s the real deal. Are you an Auror or aren’t you? Just because your mum breathed in a bit of smoke and your dad was cursed, you’re going to lose your head?”

“Enough,” James interrupted, voice equal measures exhausted and commanding. “Fleur, help Fiona inside and ask Picksie to check her over. And Hagrid, can you get Amos? Picksie will be able to tell if the Diggorys are Polyjuiced or not. Cedric, go inside and have Regulus get you another potion. You’re still pale.”

“You trust a house-elf with something like that?” Moody grunted.

“I trust Picksie with my life. Now, Moody —”

“If we’re throwing all caution to the wind, then I suppose you’ve nothing to ask me, then, Potter?”

James closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. “Did you see Lily there?”

“We found the Diggorys in the entryway. Tonks and Lupin had just dragged them there and handed them off to us. Do you want me to waste time chatting or do you want me to go after her?” But he was already heading to the Apparition line, where he disappeared with a crack, leaving James and Harry alone in the garden.

The night was silent once more. The waning moon had not yet risen. There was no light but the glow of fire on the horizon ahead of them, and the dim yellow light from the Burrow’s windows behind them.

“You know,” Harry said, turning his wand over in his hands, “I always wondered how Sirius could have ever suspected that Remus would betray us, but I guess it’s a pretty slippery slope, isn’t it?”

James hesitated. “We knew there was a mole in the Order. The Death Eaters just knew too much about where we were supposed to be and when. We lost a lot of good friends because of that information getting into the wrong hands.”

“You mean because of Peter Pettigrew.”

“I told you, it’s complicated.”

“I know. But if Mum’s hurt because someone’s a traitor, I don’t know that I’ll ever forgive them.” Harry did not feel angry as he said it. He felt strangely cold. There was no fury, only certainty.

“Harry, if you —”

“I don’t think it was any of us who were there,” he added, “or Voldemort would have known I was with Hagrid right away, instead of Pyrites figuring it out because I doubled back to help you. But someone had to have told Voldemort we were leaving tonight, and somehow, they got into the Diggorys’ house.”

Harry remembered Dumbledore’s warning in his office, before the Death Eaters had infiltrated Hogwarts, before Dumbledore had fallen from the Astronomy Tower by Snape’s wand. Dumbledore had warned Harry to be careful who he shared the prophecy with. Dumbledore had warned Harry not to trust Cedric. Had it truly been Amos and Fiona that he did not trust?

A blue spark flashed in front of them, and Harry’s heart rate doubled as Sirius and Ron came tumbling out of the sky. Sirius and Ron found their footing and the worn, moldy hat that had brought them to the Burrow fell to the ground. Harry resisted the urge to run forward, instead, raising his wand as his father did.

“Harry!” Ron shouted, and ran at them. He skidded to a stop when he caught sight of the drawn wands. “What’s going on?”

“Ron,” James asked, voice as calm as it had been all evening, “do you remember what we got Harry for Christmas six years ago? Your first year at Hogwarts?”

Ron frowned. “I don’t — oh! A chess set. Because I mentioned it to my mum. But why do you need to know?”

“And Sirius —”

“Is ‘son of a bitch’ good enough?” Sirius asked.

It would have been good enough for Mad-Eye, but it was for James, who quickly threw his arms around Sirius. James’ shoulders slumped as he nearly fell into his best friend, as if the burden of responsibility vanished suddenly with someone else there to share in it.

“Sorry we’re late,” Sirius said. “Arabella Figg talks a hell of a lot for an old lady. After we missed the Portkey, she made us take a full bloody tea until she was sure it was safe to make a new one. I’ve learned more about Kneazle breeding in the last half hour than I ever wanted to in my life.”

Despite the typical Sirius-like humour in this story, Sirius’ face remained drawn in a scowl.

“Are you hurt?” James asked.

Sirius shook his head. “Pissed. I want to know who gave us away.” His gaze strayed away from James and Harry to the fire on the horizon. “Is that anyone we know?”

The answer stuck in Harry’s throat.

“Ron,” James said, “you might want to go inside.”

“Why? What’s happened?”

“George was hurt,” Harry managed to say. “It… it looked bad.”

As Ron took off for the house, Sirius’ face darkened with both fear and anger. “And Lily?”

“We don’t know,” Harry said, and before he could tell Sirius that Remus and Tonks probably needed his help, there were three successive pops. Remus, Tonks, and Mad-Eye had returned with Lily.

She was slumped against Tonks, with her left arm draped over Tonks’ shoulders and her right hanging limp. Her usually vibrant green eyes seemed dull and unfocused as Tonks half-dragged her into the garden until they reached Sirius, who had his wand leveled at them. James, too, had his wand raised, but his face was slack with shock as Tonks set Lily down in the grass. If a duel was about to be had, James would not have the reflexes necessary to survive it.

“I’m me!” Tonks snapped, and her hair shifted through an entire rainbow of colours in a moment before settling back on pink. “Now help me with her!”

Harry and James both ran to Tonks. James lit the tip of his wand, illuminating Lily’s injuries and Harry’s heart dropped into his stomach. Lily’s right arm was glaring red and covered in blisters, and her hand was swollen and purple in a way that Harry did not think was a natural response to a burn.

Regardless, he had to leave that part of Lily’s wounds to Tonks, since Harry did not know much about Healing burns. His own wand tip glowed blue as he pressed it to Lily’s chest and the light fluttered and flickered with her unsteady heartbeat.

Harry looked up to Sirius, meaning to ask for help, but Sirius still had his wand pointed at Moody and Remus.

“Mad-Eye,” Sirius said, “tell me what was in the writing desk at our first Headquarters.”

“Boggart.” Moody grunted. “I’m going to check the barriers again to make sure we weren’t followed. Potter, give me a hand —”

James looked up at Moody. He was not helping, exactly. He did not have the Healing experience that even Harry had. He was merely holding Lily’s uninjured hand and a Wand-Lighting Charm over them so that Tonks had ample light to work by. Despite how easily his work could have been handled by Harry, the hard glare he shot at Moody indicated that he was not about to move.

Moody seemed to understand. “I’ll get Black’s help,” he grunted, and hurried into the Burrow.

Remus still had his wand drawn, but it was limp at his side. “Ask away, Sirius,” he said.

But Sirius hesitated. His grip on his wand tightened.

“Sirius,” Tonks interrupted, “I can put her hand back together but I need your help with her burns so if you would hurry up —”

“What was it you said to me this afternoon?” Sirius asked.

Remus’ Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “Sirius… don’t…”

“If you’re really Remus, what did you say to me before the wedding?”

“I said that I would never love you less.”

Sirius lowered his wand and joined Tonks in repairing Lily’s arm. He took charge smoothly, as if he had not just wrenched a private conversation out of his very private best friend.

“Harry,” he said, “let Tonks monitor her pulse. Watch me. You won’t get a much better chance to see burn Healing than this.”

Harry moved aside so that Tonks could take his place. He watched Sirius’ wand illuminate, and in each place the pale green light touched, the colour of her skin faded from red to soft pink. Blisters oozed and shrunk as he, ever so slowly, wound the light around Lily’s arm.

Harry’s eyes drifted away from Sirius’ work and up to Sirius’ face. Sirius was usually so easy to read, but at the moment Harry could see nothing in his expression but intense concentration only on his spellwork.

“Remus,” Sirius said suddenly, voice strangely detached, “Conjure me a bowl with water and a towel.”

Remus seemed to be relieved to be given something to do. He knelt between Sirius and Tonks and did just as Sirius had asked.

“Tonks —” Sirius said, but Tonks had already grabbed the towel with her free hand, soaked it in water, and placed it on Lily’s shoulder. She moved her wand to Lily’s shoulder and Harry watched with renewed interest as rivulets of water wove like netting out of the towel and across Lily’s burns. They glowed pale and blue like Tonks’ wand tip and seemed to constrict until they had disappeared completely into Lily’s arm.

“Remus —” Sirius said, but Remus seemed to know what was needed of him without being told. He took the towel from Lily’s shoulder, soaked it again, and replaced it. Tonks, once more, wove the water like threads down Lily’s arms until they were soaked into the skin.

Harry and James could do little but watch as their friends worked in silence. When Harry realised that Tonks was no longer monitoring Lily’s heartbeat, he pressed his wand to Lily’s chest, and watched as the uneven pulse slowed to a healthy rhythm.

Lily’s unfocused gaze faded as her heartbeat steadied, and she looked up at Harry and James with a weak smile.

“Don’t talk or move,” James warned, but lifted her uninjured hand and pressed his lips against it.

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” she said, and winced.

“Mum — don’t,” Harry said.

She didn’t seem interested in listening. “Is everyone alright? George was hurt —”

“Stop,” James said. “I haven’t heard Molly wail since she saw him, so I think that’s a good sign. Amos is unconscious, but everyone else is okay. Though… Arthur and Fred haven’t arrived.”

Lily closed her eyes. “Damn it. They knew, James — Snape and Crabbe were on us immediately —”

“Snape?” Harry and James both exclaimed.

“Their hoods didn’t stay on too well at the speeds we were flying. Snape’s curse cut off George’s ear — there was so much blood I thought —” She choked on a yelp and her whole body tensed. “Sirius —”

“Sorry,” Sirius said. “You messed your hand up something awful. What’d you do, center a Blasting Curse on your own wand?”

“Not on purpose,” she sighed, and closed her eyes again.

“You’ll live, at least,” Sirius grunted. “I’m doing what I can, but honestly, Lily? You might need to get used to dueling left-handed.”

“Might need to get used to not dueling at all,” she murmured.

“What?” James asked sharply. “What happened?”

“Yaxley. Bastard threw a curse at me at the same time I threw mine at him. Well, I guess he was a little faster on the draw, because the backlash shattered my wand. Blew up the whole house, it felt like.”

“You’re lucky it was just your arm that you hurt,” Tonks said in awe. “The whole house did blow up. Remus and I dragged you out.”

“I hope Yaxley burned with it.”

The green glow of Sirius’ wand faded. “That’s as much as we can do for the moment. Let’s get inside, get you bandaged.”

Harry and Sirius helped Lily out of the damp grass and onto her feet.

James pulled her unhurt arm around his shoulder. “I’m afraid I don’t have it in me to carry you across the threshold anymore,” he said.

“I’ve hurt my arm, not my legs, you prat.” But she leaned against him regardless, and together, they walked inside.

When Picksie saw Lily, she squeaked loudly, something akin to a delicate shriek, and immediately helped Lily into a plush chair. She dug through Lily’s Potions box and pulled out a green bottle. She Conjured a bowl to pour its contents in, and together, Sirius and Picksie began to rub the salve into Lily’s burns.

The Weasley living room was crowded, stuffed with double the amount of usual occupants, one of whom was a half-giant. George had been laid out on the sofa, and the blood had been cleaned from his face. Molly was stroking his singed hair and sobbing into a handkerchief while Bill and Fleur tended George. His left ear was missing in its entirety, nothing but a bloody hole to mark its old place.

Ginny looked up as Harry came in, and they exchanged wan smiles, each communicating they were alright and no one was going to die. She picked up a roll of gauze and helped cut strips for Sirius and for Fleur. Ron, who was doing his best to comfort his mother, spared Harry a similar glance, though the fondness was different.

Hermione sat nearby. She had picked up the bloodied sweatshirt, but instead of handing it to Harry and berating him for leaving it unattended, she gave him a weak smile.

Cedric sat with his mother and his father, who was conscious now. Hagrid poured the three of them glasses of Bill’s whiskey, then refilled his own.

Harry, confident his mother was being tended by better hands than his, sat down on the floor beside Ginny and picked up gauze to help.

They all worked in silence. The only sound was glasses clinking and whiskey being poured as drinks made their way around. Remus downed his glass in a single gulp and returned the glass to Hagrid for another. Tonks, however, intercepted the second glass and passed it to Regulus. Then she turned, and with a mischievous smile, whispered something in Remus’ ear. His ears turned bright red, and he did not reach for any more alcohol.

Then there were two cracks in the yard. Harry reached for his wand, as did anyone else who was not wounded nor tending to someone wounded — or, in Mrs Weasley’s case, crying over someone wounded.

There was a commotion at the door, but no sounds of curses or a duel occurred.

Instead, Arthur Weasley’s voice carried through the door, “I’ll prove to you who I am, Moody, after I’ve seen my son! Now back off if you know what’s good for you!”

The front door to the Burrow opened with a crash, and Arthur and Fred pushed past Moody and Regulus, past Ginny and Harry, to George’s side. Mr Weasley and Fred looked exhausted and pale, but unhurt, for which Harry was grateful.

“Oh —” Mrs Weasley wailed, “Arthur —” They embraced, tightly but briefly.

“How is he?” Arthur asked.

“He’ll live.” Bill pressed his wand against the bandages and fixed them in place. “But Dad, I’m afraid you won’t be able to tell him anymore that he’s got two ears to listen twice as well as he talks.”

Mrs Weasley burst into another fit of hysterics and George stirred at the commotion.

Fred tightened his hands around the back of the sofa, but he cracked a smile. “How do you feel, Georgie?”

George glanced at the small crowd gathered around the sofa. His hand reached curiously for the bandages around his head. Finally, he said in a quiet voice, “Saintlike.”

Fred glanced worriedly between Bill and his mum. “What’s wrong with him?”

“Saintlike,” George said again, pulling Fred’s attention back, and he gestured to the bandages over the space his left ear used to be. “You see… I’m holy. Holey, Fred, geddit?”

Fred’s face went from white to red as he snorted. “Pathetic,” he muttered. “Pathetic! With the whole wide world of ear-related humour before you, you go for holey?”

“I thought it was alright,” Bill said.

“Oh, in that case,” George sighed, “I’d better try something else — oh, Mum, honestly, I’m fine. At least you can tell us apart now.”

Mrs Weasley did not stop crying, but she did bring her sobs down to sniffles. She dried her nose with a very damp handkerchief and Fleur handed her a clean one.

“Everyone else make it?” George asked. “Last I remember, was Yaxley casting a curse. I barely got a Shield Charm up to protect Lily.”

“So it wasn’t luck that saved your pretty face,” Sirius said to Lily as he finished off her bandages.

“I’m sure Felix had something to do with it,” she murmured.

Moody, still in the doorway, snorted. “Luck is the only reason any of us are still alive. They were more prepared than we were. Whoever gave us away is somewhere in this room. We’re the only ones who knew Harry was being moved tonight.”

“Apart from those at the other safe houses,” Remus said, eyes on the Diggorys.

“I should think,” James said quietly, “that what they didn’t know is just as important as what they did. Harry mentioned to me that Voldemort didn’t target him right away. Our plan to throw off the Death Eaters, should they have been watching us, worked.”

“Voldemort went right for me and Moody, just as we expected,” Tonks said, “and they also didn’t know that the Burrow was our final destination. Otherwise, I think we would have seen a fight here instead of at the Diggorys’ house. So it can’t have been anyone who flew with us tonight, and it can’t have been anyone at the Burrow.”

“Nor anyone who made a Portkey to the Burrow,” Sirius added.

“Well — that’s everyone, then, isn’t it?” Arthur said, looking around. “Everyone who was in on the plan either helped us get here or knew who the real Harry was.”

“Not everyone,” Ginny said. “What about Regulus?”

Regulus, hardly noticeable behind Moody, seemed to appear out of the shadows as his name was mentioned. He blinked slowly at the inquisitive and suspicious stares. “I was well aware of the plan to disguise multiple duelists as Harry. It was my suggestion, in fact. I also, you may recall, am as wanted by the Death Eaters as I am the Ministry. I have no reason to betray the Order’s trust, however thin that trust may be.”

“It’s my fault,” Amos Diggory whispered. He removed his glasses with a shaky hand and wiped his face. “I’m sorry, I —”

“Dad,” Cedric murmured, “it isn’t your fault. You couldn’t have known Yaxley would get through the barriers around our house.”

“He didn’t.” Amos took in a shaky breath. “I never set them up — I — I’m sorry, I got careless.”

“You just forgot to put protective barriers around your home?” James growled, and raised his wand.

“No! No! Nothing like that I — I was alone in my office today.” He stifled a sob and Fiona rubbed his shoulder encouragingly. “I’m sorry,” he said again. “I know we aren’t supposed to do that; I know that being alone at all puts us at risk, but I just had to run back in to grab a scroll before I left. I wasn’t supposed to be in there long. Yaxley must have followed me. I don’t know how long he had been watching me, but he caught me by surprise and he — he cast the Imperius Curse.”

“Damn it, Diggory,” Moody snapped. “What other trouble did you cause today, then, besides put Harry and the Ministry at great risk?”

“I — I don’t know. It’s all a sort of blur until the elf woke me. I don’t know what she did, but she made my mind clearer. I feel like myself.”

“Picksie has been practicing,” Picksie said. “Picksie can undo Polyjuice and Imperius and Picksie is working on Confunding and Obliviating next. Picksie is checking Mr and Mrs Diggory for any curses and is removing what she finds.”

“You’re a miracle worker, Picksie,” James said. “I imagine you could get work as a Curse Breaker in no time at the rate you’re going.”

Picksie beamed with pride. “Thank you, James, you is too kind.”

Lily rubbed her eyes with her good hand. “Well, Yaxley cursing the both of you explains why he was there when George and I arrived. I am sorry — I didn’t mean for the spell to go so badly. I just saw him and my first thought was that wherever the Portkey to the Burrow was, I had to destroy it, to keep him from getting to Harry.”

“He tried to Imperius us, too,” George said, “or at least Lily first. He sounded thrilled when we walked in the door — I think he thought I was really Harry for a moment. What did he say? Something about having one over on Snape?”

“I wasn’t paying attention,” Lily said. “I was only thinking about killing him or destroying the Portkey before he could get to it.” She closed her eyes and sighed. “With any luck, he’s burned up in there.”

“I think we’ve Harry to thank for the luck that brought us all here,” Sirius said. “To be ambushed and infiltrated and all survive? That’s nothing shy of a miracle.”

“Hear, hear,” Hagrid echoed, and finished off another glass of the brandy.

Harry’s ears burned. He wanted to protest, to say that they had all done so much more for him tonight, but his scar pulsed with pain. He winced, and distantly heard his father say, “I think we all survived tonight not because of luck, but because we all watched each other’s backs. None of us are here because of our own skill, but because someone else looked out for us.”

Harry clutched his forehead and tried to focus on the conversation around him. Ginny touched his arm.

“Well said.” Molly wiped her eyes with Fleur’s handkerchief. “On that note, I want everyone staying here tonight.”

“Oh —” Fiona shook her head. “Molly, we couldn’t possibly impose. We’ll find something —”

“Nonsense. I won’t hear of it. You and Amos can take Ron’s room. James and Lily, you’ll take Fred and George’s room. Remus and Tonks, you can have Charlie and Bill’s old room. The girls — Fleur, Ginny, Hermione, and Picksie have Ginny’s room — and the boys can all sleep down here in the living room.”

“Are we part of the boys?” Sirius asked, gesturing to Regulus, Hagrid, and Moody. “Just because none of us’ve been married off yet doesn’t mean we’re children.”

“We aren’t children!” George, Fred, and Ron protested at once.

This back and forth, though perfectly good-natured, irritated Harry and exacerbated the pain in his scar. He pushed himself to his feet and walked out into the garden. He was dimly aware of Ginny and several others standing, too. He hoped that they wouldn’t follow.

Harry only made it as far as the end of the chicken coop before pain split his head so badly that he could no longer move. He leaned against the coop to keep himself from toppling over as Voldemort shrieked inside his head.

“You told me the problem would be solved by using another’s wand!”

Harry pressed his hand into the weathered wood, tried to count how many splinters dug into his palm. Try as he might, he could not bring the Weasley’s garden back into focus. Instead he saw Ollivander, withered away to almost nothing, stringy white hair long around his gaunt face, writhe on a stone cellar floor. He screamed in pain, and Harry felt bitter sympathy, not just because he was in excruciating pain himself, but because he had been on that end of Voldemort’s wand before.

“No! No! I beg you, I beg you…”

“You lied to Lord Voldemort, Ollivander!”

“I did not… I swear I did not…”

“You sought to help Potter, to help him escape me!”

“I swear I did not… I believed a different wand would work…”

“Explain, then, what happened. Lucius’s wand is destroyed!”

“I cannot understand… The connection… exists only… between your two wands…”

“Lies!”

“Please… I beg you… Perhaps… Perhaps there is another way — another wand —”

But Voldemort was not interested in listening to Ollivander’s excuses. He slashed his wand through the air and the elderly man screamed as the pain of the Cruciatus Curse tore through him.

“Harry?” someone said softly. He felt a hand on his arm, far gentler than any splinters, yet the touch held enough weight to ground him again.

Though his face and hands still felt unusually numb and his head throbbed, when he opened his eyes, the vision of Ollivander was gone, replaced by Lily. “Mum — shouldn’t you be resting?”

“Did you really think you could storm out of there without us following you?”

Harry turned to see his father and Picksie behind him, and Sirius, Remus, and Tonks just a few steps away.

“Is Harry’s scar hurting again?” Picksie asked.

“I’m fine,” Harry said.

“You dueled You-Know-Who,” James said, “and whatever fit you had tonight can’t have been good.”

Lily frowned. “Harry, what happened?”

“Nothing,” Harry said. “It was just a… nightmare, I guess.”

James put a hand on Harry’s shoulder. “Harry, I don’t know if there’s anything we can do, but —”

“No,” Harry snapped, “there isn’t anything you can do. Voldemort’s in my head, and I’m the one who has to fight him. There’s no reason for any of this — for any of you to get hurt like this —”

“Harry,” Remus said softly, and stepped forward.

But Harry stepped back, away from his parents and Remus. “All of you could have died — you all almost did, just to protect me, and I can’t —” His scar burned and he heard Ollivander scream again. When his head cleared, he found that his father had pulled him into a tight embrace, and Harry wondered if he had done or said something in another fit.

“It’s okay to not be fine,” James said. “You dueled Voldemort tonight, and it’s okay to be scared. Your mum’s hurt, and it’s okay to be worried.” James let Harry go, but only so he could look into Harry’s eyes. There had once been a time when James would have had to kneel to meet Harry’s green eyes, but they had grown to the same height now. Harry did not have to even tip his head.

“Harry, I’m terrified,” James said, “But we’re all here, and we’re all going to look after each other. You don’t have to be fine.”

Lily stood on her tiptoes to kiss Harry’s forehead. “We’re going to be alright, Harry, as long as we do this together. Can you believe that?”

“No,” Harry said dully. “I don’t think I can.” He thought of the diadem sitting on Hermione’s lap, and how he had no idea how to destroy it. He thought of the cup, hidden away somewhere, and how he didn’t even know where to start. He thought of Voldemort’s pet snake, eating some poor Hogwarts professor in Malfoy Manor, and how it would be impossible to get to the snake without going through Voldemort.

He also didn’t see how his family could help him with any of it. Each one of them had nearly died just trying to get Harry to the Burrow safely. He couldn’t let them follow him on a journey that had nearly killed Regulus and Dumbledore.

“Picksie is thinking everyone should get some rest,” Picksie said. She slipped in between James and Harry and took Harry’s hand. “Picksie is sad, because she misses her home and her Mama, but Picksie is happy, because Harry is safe, and Picksie is safe. Picksie would like Harry to be happy about those things, too, and sometimes, sleeping helps.” Picksie turned and looked up at James, as if she somehow knew that he had been up all night.

Though James tried to stifle it, he could not help but yawn. “Alright, point taken. I think everything will look a little better in the morning.” He squeezed Harry’s shoulder. “Come on inside. Let’s see what blankets we can scrounge up for your sleepover party on the ground floor.”

Picksie hurried inside to gather pillows and blankets. James helped Lily back up the steps, and when she stumbled, Remus caught her — on her injured arm. She let out the sort of curse Harry was used to hearing from Sirius, and muttered a few more as James and Remus helped her inside.

Before Harry could follow, Sirius put a hand on Harry’s shoulder, and Tonks lounged against the door frame, arms folded across her chest.

“Just wanted to check,” Sirius started, unusually hesitant. “If — well —”

“You’ve got the look like you’re going to run away,” Tonks said. “We know it well. We’ve each done it our fair share of times.”

“Because you know you’ve got the Trace and all,” Sirius said, “and it wouldn’t be safe.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Harry said.

Tonks quirked an eyebrow. “And after you turn seventeen? Will you stay here then?”

“Ginny’s here,” Harry said, which was not much of an answer, but it was the one thing that made him want to stay at the Burrow.

Tonks pursed her lips. “I’m not your mum, Harry, but I am an Auror, for however much longer that may be, and I shouldn’t need to tell you how dangerous it would be for you to go off on your own.”

“Then don’t tell me.”

He wasn’t planning on running away — not yet at least — but he didn’t need Tonks and Sirius poking around and asking questions. He had never been particularly good at lying. Keeping this secret was not going to be easy.

Once they were inside, Tonks headed straight for Remus, and snatched the glass of whiskey from him.

“I thought we said one drink —”

“We’re staying here tonight.” Remus took his glass back from her. “I imagine our wedding nuptials will wait another night?” He filled another glass and put it in her hand. “Consolation?”

Tonks looked down at the whiskey longingly, but she sighed and handed the glass to Sirius. “It’s fine — not like we were really waiting or anything.”

Harry’s ears grew warm, and Sirius took one look at the glass Tonks had handed him and downed with a speed that rivaled Remus’ drinking habits.

To escape from this terribly uncomfortable conversation, Harry looked around for Hermione and the diadem. He didn’t see Hermione nor Ginny, but Cedric was in the kitchen doorway, talking quietly with his parents and Mad-Eye.

Harry still had not had a chance to talk with Cedric since Dumbledore had died. He had decided to keep the Horcruxes from his parents, but Cedric had been invaluable to Harry in the hunt already. It was Cedric who had suggested that Voldemort had hidden a Horcrux in Hogwarts, and Harry, as much as he did not want any else to get hurt on this quest, knew that he would not be able to do it without Cedric’s help.

Cedric noticed Harry staring, whispered something to his mother, and slipped away from his parents.

“Are you alright?” he asked Harry.

Harry shrugged. “Are you?”

Cedric smiled weakly, then said, “Can we talk somewhere?”

The house itself was crowded, so Harry and Cedric went to the garden. When they had walked far enough away from the Burrow, Cedric let out a slow, deep breath.

“Feels nice to be able to talk to you away from Williamson — finally.” Cedric tried to grin, but neither he nor Harry were in the mood for humour. Cedric’s shoulders slumped and he rubbed the back of his neck. He was quiet for a long moment, his eyes trained on the now dark spot where his family home had once stood.

Finally, he asked, “What happened tonight?”

Harry snorted. “Can you be more specific?”

Cedric smiled wryly. “When you dueled Voldemort — you weren’t yourself, exactly. And your wand did something, didn’t it? And the Horcrux — when I found you in the Tonks’ garden, I think it was trying to kill you.”

“I’ve been in Voldemort’s head before.” Harry tried to sound casual about it. “And I don’t know what happened with my wand — it acted on its own somehow — but I don’t think it’s a surprise that a piece of Voldemort’s soul would try and kill me.”

“Do you have a fit like you did tonight every time you’re in his head?”

Harry shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m not exactly conscious when they happen. Does it matter?”

“I think it does. I don’t really know, but…” Cedric rubbed his eyes. “I just wish we knew more about Horcruxes. Then we’d know just what sort of danger this diadem is to us. I think you should be careful about carrying it on your person, for now anyway.”

“I’m not going to risk losing it.”

“I can look after it — or Ron or Hermione can. I’m sure your parents would help, too. Have you told them?”

Harry shook his head.

“Will you tell them?”

“I don’t know that they’ll understand. They’ll want to take care of it for me — but they can’t. You can’t either.”

Cedric laughed, and this time, it was genuine. “But I can help. I think I’m going to head to Grimmauld Place tomorrow, see if I can’t find anything helpful in the Black library.”

“Is it safe?”

Cedric glanced back over his shoulder at the Burrow. Harry wondered who exactly Cedric was afraid would overhear them.

When Cedric was confident they were not being watched, he said, “Things are… changing at the Ministry, and I don’t think it’s all Death Eaters. They’re helping, sure, but it’s every day people who hear these ideas and don't do anything. Right now, the Ministry is one of the Death Eaters’ strongest tools, and the fact that raiding the Order’s Headquarters isn’t a priority in the wake of Dumbledore’s death says something.”

“Just because the Ministry isn’t interested in the Order’s Headquarters doesn’t mean it’s because of Death Eaters.” But even as Harry said it, he had a feeling that both the Ministry and Death Eaters would eagerly raid the Order of the Phoenix’s Headquarters, given the opportunity.

“If the Death Eaters knew about it,” Cedric said, “then they would use the power of the Ministry to raid it. Thicknesse would have already sent Aurors in. Death Eaters are even keeping us off of certain cases, so I don’t see why they wouldn’t use us for their dirty work.”

“What does that mean?”

Cedric bit down on his lip. “Just something Christian said. His sister was close with the Muggle Studies professor at Hogwarts — Charity Burbage. I didn’t know her, but I guess he and Anne did. She’d just published an article in the Prophet about Muggle-born rights. And then she was gone. Christian’s Chief Captain now, so he set up an investigation but Thicknesse shut him down. No one else seemed interested in arguing about it.”

As Cedric spoke, Harry remembered his dream from the night before, or at least pieces of it. He swallowed hard, and tried to sound confident. “Well, at least I can tell you what happened to that professor.”

Cedric had regained most of his colour after Fleur’s treatment, but it faded while Harry shared his dream and his vision of what had happened to Ollivander tonight. Harry wasn’t sure which was worse for Cedric — knowing what had happened to Professor Burbage or knowing that Cedric’s fears about the Death Eaters controlling Hit Wizard investigations were true.

When Harry was finished, Cedric picked a third worse thing to ask about. “Do you really think he succeeded? Do you think he made another one?”

Harry swallowed. “I don’t know. Your research didn’t say anything about Horcruxes and goblin silver, did it?”

“I’ll look again and let you know.” Cedric wiped his hand over his face, as if he might rub out his exhaustion. Harry wanted to tell him that he didn’t have to, that this burden of research didn’t need to all be on Cedric, that Hermione would probably love to help him, but he didn’t think that Cedric would listen.

“When are you planning to leave?” Cedric asked. “After you turn seventeen?”

“After the wedding, I guess…” Harry ran his hand through his hair. He had told Sirius and Tonks he was staying because Ginny was here, and it was half-true. “Maybe until Ginny goes to Hogwarts? I don’t want to wait that long, but I think she’ll be furious if I go before.”

“Well — I don’t exactly have a home anymore. My parents have decided to stay with Mad-Eye for now, and probably will be there for a while. Mad-Eye’s pretty furious with my dad, wants to keep his eye on him. The sooner you leave, the sooner I don’t have to stay in Mad-Eye’s weird old house.”

And though Harry very much did not want Cedric to come on this journey, though he very much did not want to put Cedric at risk, he could not see how he would be able to do this without Cedric.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” he said.

The waning moon finally appeared above the trees that surrounded the Burrow. Cedric stared up at it and Harry watched as his grey eyes seemed to cloud with an unfortunately familiar expression. Harry had seen it in Grimmauld Place, during that summer the Order had stayed together, and again in the Potter’s kitchen last winter.

Cedric rubbed his eyes again and the expression faded. “Sorry — it’s just… Do you ever feel like there’s a voice inside your head telling you it won’t matter?”

“No.”

“No, of course you don't.” Cedric sighed, and Harry re-evaluated his response.

Harry had seen this same anxiety in Cedric when they had dealt with Umbridge’s terrible reign at Hogwarts. Hopelessness was always in reach for Cedric in a way that Harry didn't understand.

“But I know you do. Didn't you say Christian helped you with that?”

“I can't tell him about any of this.” His voice broke halfway through, and his lip trembled, but not a single tear fell. Despite how easy it was for Cedric to fall apart inside, it took a lot more for that pain to be visible.

“Killing Voldemort will end this war, Cedric,” Harry promised. “Whatever happens after that… well, I guess let’s just start small for now.”

Cedric took in a deep breath and rubbed his eyes, as if he could wipe away his own fears and anxiety. “We’re more than halfway there, right?”

Harry took a moment to count Horcruxes. The diary, the ring, and the locket were destroyed. The diadem, the locket, the snake, and whatever else was left in Voldemort — and a possible new Horcrux — were still left.

“Not quite,” Harry sighed, “but I guess we’re off to an alright start.”

[boat-dock]

“Knowing You is for the Better” chapter 10

sorry for the late update but I am officially done with school now!!

It was far too early for anything remotely loud or dramatic to happen. Sadly the rest of the world didn’t seem to agree with Hope’s sentiment. The entire school was buzzing, she could hear every whisper and murmur but they were so deafening that she couldn’t make out anything that they were saying. She was digging through her dresser, trying desperately to block out the rest of the student body as they collectively lost their minds, over what Hope was still unsure. 

Looking back Hope should have paid better attention to what was going on. Well maybe not cause if she had things might have gone differently and she really liked how things turned out. 

Josie burst through her door, her hair still damp and screaming at the top of her lungs. Like everyone else Hope can’t tell what she’s saying, and she tries she really does but her brain is un-caffeinated and overwhelmed by noise. All she can seem to focus on is how beautiful Josie looks when she’s angry. Her eyes are glowing and stormy, cheeks flushed as she waved her arms wildly, obviously completely worked up over something. 

The door swings shut behind her and Hope barely registers that she did that with her magic even though she doesn’t remember doing it. Josie moves closer to her as she rants and raves and Hope feels her resolve start to slip.

They’ve spent nearly all of their free time together over the past week and she had tricked herself into believing she had these feelings under control. But something shifted right there, Hope’s not sure what maybe she never will be, but she pushes her drawer closed in a haze and moves closer like she’s caught in her orbit. 

Never had she been focusing so intensely yet heard nothing. Logically she knew she was losing control and the cycles of the moon flashed through her head, but she pushed it away as soon as Josie’s hand landed on her arm. Something snapped and the next thing Hope knew she spun them, pushing Josie against the wall and kissed her hard. The world tilted when Josie kissed her back. It felt like time stopped as Josie’s lips moved against hers. Her hands moved to her hips and the small sound that the younger girl made in the back of her throat brought her back to reality. 

She pulled back as guilt washed over her, losing control was something she never allowed herself to do, no matter what. When she lost control people could get hurt, or worse she could decide to make out with her best friend potentially ruining the most important thing in her life.” Oh god- oh god,” Hope gasped stepping back,” I’m so so sorry,” 

She could hear Josie’s heart beating out of her chest, she was still leaning back against the wall, eyes wide and cheeks somehow even more flushed then when she came in. Hope started rambling, words spilling out that she wasn’t even aware of just desperately trying to fill the silence that encompassed them. She couldn’t tell where Josie’s head was, normally she could read her well but right now it was like they were on two separate planets. Dread filled her. 

Josie was trembling and she surged forward till she had her hands on Hope’s face and was pushing them both backwards. Now Hope’s heart was beating out of her chest. Their lips met gently this time and Hope’s knees buckled as she ran into her bed, she collapsed as ungracefully as possible without breaking the kiss. It deepened as Josie slid onto her lap and ran her hands through her hair, a growl grew in her chest as she grabbed her hips and pulled her closer. 

The need for air forced them apart momentarily as they pressed their foreheads together breathing deeply. “Hope,” the siphoner started softly.

“Yes?” she breathed terrified of breaking whatever spell had come over them.

“Don’t ever apologize for kissing me,” she punctuated the statement with another kiss, and Hope smiled against her. 

They lay curled together on Hope’s bed- fully clothed- and happier than either of them can remember being in a long time. They fit together like puzzle pieces, legs tangled together and hands intertwined with Josie’s head resting on Hope’s chest. 

“That was not at all how I expected you to react,” Josie giggled, glancing at her with eyes that she could drown in. 

Once again guilt knotted in her stomach,” for the sake of transparency,” she started causing Josie to tilt her head slightly,” I didn’t hear a thing you said when you walked in,” 

“What?” she laughed turning on her side and pulling away slightly so they were facing each other and noise to noise. 

She paused, trying to figure out the best way to phrase what she needed to say next,” Well it’s a full moon tonight and I haven’t shifted in a while so I kind of lost control,” she waited for Josie to recoil, to realize that she was unsafe to be around and bolt like any sane person would. “But I’m ready to listen now,”

Josie didn’t meet her eyes for a second, struggling with something internally, ”Penelope Park came back to school this morning,” That was not what Hope expected to hear. Her eyes flashed golden and she unconsciously pulled Josie closer again.” wow you’ve really got this whole possessive wolf thing working for you,” 

“Sorry,” she mumbled and forced herself to loosen her grip. 

“What did I say about apologizing,” Josie stated placing a chaste kiss on her lips. 

“That’s why you were so upset this morning?” Jose didn’t answer, she didn’t have to it was obvious that whatever run-in she had with the “she-devil” this morning had made her uncomfortable. 

Penelope Park would add another hiccup to their already insanely new relationship if this even was a relationship. Maybe Josie didn’t want a relationship, maybe she didn’t want Hope, maybe she wanted to go be with Penelope and Hope had just ruined the best friendship she’d ever had. 

“Don’t do that,” Josie said pulling Hope out her head,” Penelope doesn’t change anything between us” the words were sweet but they still didn’t make her feel better. She pulled away and swung her legs over the side of the bed so she was sitting with her back to Josie. She heard Josie sigh behind her. 

Next thing she knew Josie’s arms were wrapped around her and her head was resting on her shoulder and goosebumps erupted on Hope’s neck where she could feel her breath. “I’m not going anywhere Hope. You are officially stuck with me, Penelope or no Penelope,” against her better judgment a smile spread across her face. She shifted just enough that she could press her face to Josie’s, they aren’t kissing they are just enjoying the contact. 

“Well you’re stuck with me too,” Hope mumbled, “ but we actually do have to go to class today. I’m on thin ice with the number of days your dad is going to let me skip,” 

“No- no class just snuggle,” Josie cried pulling Hope back down into the bed. 

[starscheme]

Change My World

Chapter Twelve: Falling For You

After’s Steven’s close call with Spinel, he tried to keep the rest of the night as light hearted as possible. He urged Spinel to try and eat something, but when she attempted to eat the food that Elaine had made, it only served to make her ill. It seemed the Gem had changed her appearance, but not much of her physiology. After all, Mermaids didn’t need to eat. As long as they were in the water, they were healthy. Once this fact was discovered, the two talked about how Steven had spent his time while Spinel was sleeping until late into the night. Though Steven insisted there wasn’t much to tell, Spinel was more curious about Elaine. She was happy to learn that Steven hadn’t spent any time with Elaine. From what she heard, it seemed that Elaine had been following him around, but he didn’t ever speak with her long.

Eventually, when Spinel began to get sleepy, Steven insisted that she take the bed and he’d sleep on the floor. Though she was embarrassed about it, Spinel insisted that they could both share the bed, but Steven refused.

Even though Spinel was certain he was just being stubborn, Steven honestly didn’t think he would be able to sleep if they were so close. The bed wasn’t that big after all.  When Spinel finally drifted off, Steven was left to stare at the ceiling, finding that sleep was quite impossible right now. Spinel had only just woken up from her long sleep earlier today, so he wanted her to take it easy. However, they had a lot to discuss later on. For example, Steven was curious to find out how all those guards were killed. They also had to go over their plans on where to go next. It’s not as though he sat idle while Spinel was sleeping for the past few days. Steven had spent his time doing research and trying to come up with the next best course of action. Though he had come up with what he considered to be the best option, he was certain that Spinel wouldn’t like it. With a long sigh, Steven closed his eyes and tried to get some sleep, there was still so much to do, and he didn’t want to slow it down by being overly tired.

Spinel woke up the next morning to the sound of heavy rain rapping against the window. As she sat up with a yawn, she noticed Steven sitting at the table looking over some maps. "...were you able to get any sleep...?" Spinel asked, still annoyed that Steven insisted upon sleeping on the floor. Did he hate the idea of sleeping beside her so much? She'd even humiliated herself by offering.

"Of course," replied Steven as he paused to look up from his work. Though he immediately regretted that decision. Spinel’s pigtails had come undone in her sleep and the collar of her nightgown seemed to have slipped down her shoulder slightly. Steven's cheeks reddened at once and his heart skipped a beat. He forced himself to look away, dropping his gaze back down to the maps. "Wh-what about you?"

Spinel frowned a bit. Now he wasn't even going to look at her? Why was he acting so strange? Before her long sleep, Steven was always so insistent on being close to her. He would unabashedly compliment her with a smile, and she would often catch him staring every now and then. Now he was refusing to sleep beside her and barely looking at her. "Could you help me get up," she asked, attempting to force his attention.

Steven flinched lightly. Though he was already nervous, he couldn't say no to Spinel. "S-sure," agreed Steven as he made his way over to the side of the bed, still having trouble looking directly at her, but offering her his hands.

Placing her hands in his, Spinel slowly shifted her aching legs over the side of the bed.

Noticing the pained expression on her face, Steven felt his nerves slip away. "Is it still too difficult to move? You don't have to force yourself."

Spinel shook her head. "It hurts a little, but it's not as bad as before. Besides, I don't just want to sit in bed all day. I have legs now; I no longer need to sit around on land."

Steven assisted in pulling her up onto her feet, only to once again feel his cheeks burn when Spinel was brought close to his chest. Though her legs were unsteady, Spinel was doing pretty well in staying upright. No doubt due to Steven's help.

Suddenly, the two were startled by a knock at the door, the surprise of it causing Spinel to lose focus and her legs folding beneath her. Steven reacted quickly, wrapping his arms around Spinel to keep her from falling over.

"Ah, thanks," breathed Spinel in relief, though a little embarrassed being held like this. It was only made worse when she glanced up to see his face. Steven was staring down at her with such concern, but his cheeks were tinted pink. Was he embarrassed too? At least he wasn't looking away like before. As they fell into silence once again, Spinel couldn't help but notice that Steven's eyes had changed. With a pink hue and diamond shaped pupils, they looked just as they did back at the camp after he disposed of all those guards. What did it mean? Without thinking, she reached up and placed her hand against his cheek, keeping her eyes locked with his.

As Spinel's fingers brushed his skin, Steven felt his heart skip once again. Though Spinel's gaze had become a bit curious, he didn't look away. Even if he knew he couldn't admit it aloud, that it would be for the best to bury these feelings that just seemed to keep growing, he was only human. When she was in his arms like this, he just couldn't bring himself to push her away. "Spinel...I—"

Just as Steven began to speak, there was another knock at the door, this time accompanied by a familiar voice. "Steven? Are you in there? I found that book you mentioned last time! I thought you might want to give it a read!"

Spinel and Steven turned their gaze towards the door now. Spinel frowned, glaring in the doors direction at the unwelcome sound of Elaine’s voice. This girl was terribly annoying.

Steven sighed, but knew it was probably for the best that he didn't get to say what he wanted. "...I should get the door," he stated before lowering Spinel to sit at the side of the bed.

As Steven was about to release her, Spinel felt a sense of panic. Steven's eyes were still not back to normal. If Elaine saw this, surely she would have questions. "W-wait," pleaded Spinel, gripping at his sleeves with burning cheeks. "Don't...don't go." Though Spinel told herself that this was for Steven's sake, a part of her knew that she just didn't want him to follow along with Elaine’s attempt to get his attention. She couldn't help feeling a little possessive. Why would Steven let her go so that he could speak with that girl?

Steven was sure his heart had stopped when Spinel asked him to stay. "I-I'm not going to leave. I was just gonna answer the door," he replied, trying to appear as if he were completely calm.

Spinel shook her head at once, "don't answer it. Just stay with me," she insisted stubbornly.

"You...what does that mean?" Steven asked now, unable to wrap his head around this. He didn't want to make any assumptions and upset her. Did she want him to hold her again? Was she just uncomfortable around Elaine because she was a human? Or maybe she felt unsafe when he wasn't close by because she couldn't properly stand up yet?

His question caused Spinel's entire face to turn scarlet and the disguised mermaid looked down at her lap as she clutched gently at his sleeves. "Y-you're mine," started Spinel, her voice shaking slightly. "You said...you'd help me. So you can't...I mean...you're..." Her voice trailed off when she started to hear exactly what she was saying. How could she say these things without thinking? "I-I mean, I know you don't—-it's not as if I own you. I just—-"

As Spinel stammered for some explanation for what she was saying, Steven cut her off by bending on one knee and leaning forward to wrap his arms around her once again. Even though Elaine knocked once again, neither of them seemed to hear it. Spinel forgot all at once what she was trying to say, especially when she felt his hand entangle in her hair, pressing his palm gently at the back of her head. Why was he being so affectionate with her after she had acted like a spoiled child? "Steven...?"

He was glad that Spinel couldn't see his troubled expression right now. Steven felt like such a hypocrite. Here he was just telling himself that he couldn't allow himself to feel anything for her, but one word from Spinel and he started to get his hopes up like an idiot. "Sorry. Can we just...stay like this for a moment?"

Spinel didn't say anything, but she nodded her head. Though he couldn't see her face, she prayed he wouldn't hear the sound of her heart. It was pounding so hard against her chest that Spinel was sure he must hear something. This was so confusing. A part of her wanted so much to ask him, but the other part was too afraid of being humiliated. Steven was nice to everyone, for all she knew, this level of affection was normal for him. Maybe he was like this with everyone? Perhaps she could ask something that wouldn't make her seem like she was jumping to conclusions on her own. "Steven, is this...this normal for you? I mean...you know...would you...hold...that Elaine girl...like this?" Though she did her best to phrase the question properly, it still came out awkward.

Steven had been nervous before Spinel mentioned Elaine for the second time. Though there could be several reasons why, Spinel was obviously jealous. He reluctantly pulled himself back to see her face, smiling as he met her eyes. "No. I wouldn't," he answered simply.

Spinel smiled back, but turned her head in hopes of hiding her expression. However, she'd caught a glimpse of Steven's eyes and doubled back to see that they had returned to normal. Thank goodness. "Can I...ask you one more question?" She asked, more serious now as she met his gaze once again.

"Of course," answered Steven.

"...do you know...what happened to all the guards back at the camp after they...nearly caught me?"

"Do you?" Steven asked in return, hoping that Spinel could fill the gaps in his memory. "The last thing I remember is confirming that you were safe. When I woke up...all the guards had been...murdered somehow." Steven's voice choked a bit near the end. No matter whom they were, killing someone was just too far. "...I buried them all at the campsite."

Spinel was quiet for a moment. So he didn't remember that blast of pink light, or how he'd made the ground crumble beneath him? Should she tell him? After all, Spinel knew exactly how those guards had died. She saw one hit the ground after the light hit him. He had dropped instantly and she could still see the blood that leaked from his eyes, nose, and mouth. "No..." Spinel lied, already feeling guilty for it. "I don't remember. ...there was just a pink light and that was it." In the end, Spinel didn't want Steven to carry the burden of murdering anyone. He was too kind and would surely hate himself or feel so guilty that he'd just blame himself over something he couldn't seem to control. If he couldn't remember doing it, she wasn't going to be the one to remind him of it.

"Oh, so it's the same for you," sighed Steven.

"M-maybe the Off Colors had some sort of magic set up," suggested Spinel, hoping to ease Steven's mind. "Like some sort of security measure against any humans that found the place."

"But then, why wasn't I hurt by it?"

"Y-you entered a binding contract. The magic of that spell probably protected you," answered Spinel quickly, praying that he would believe her.

Though Steven looked a tad skeptical at first, eventually he seemed to accept it. "I see. ...I should learn more about the magic that mermaid’s use I guess."

Spinel breathed an internal sigh of relief, but her quick answer suddenly reminded her that she still didn't know the terms of Steven's contract. "By the way..." she began, glancing at Steven curiously. “You never actually told me the terms of that Binding Spell."

"Oh? Um...well...it wasn't anything too serious." Steven replied, anxiously rubbing the back of his neck as he averted his eyes to the side.

"...okay, well what was it? What did you promise?" Spinel asked again, getting suspicious since he didn't seem willing to answer her straight away.

Steven sighed and returned his gaze to Spinel. He was indeed apprehensive in telling her the details. He didn't plan on keeping it to himself; he just knew that Spinel would be upset about it. After all, she was angry at him for just signing the contract in the first place. "...the conditions were that I'd be bound by my heart. If I betray you in any way...or you die under my care...my heart will stop."

Spinel's eyes grew wide and she shot up from the bed, albeit on poorly balanced legs. "Are you insane?!" She demanded. "You bet your LIFE?! What, being a traitor and a criminal wasn't enough for you?! Risking your life JUST by being around me wasn't enough?! You had to literally put your heart on the line under such vague conditions?! What constitutes a betrayal, Steven?! Who decides when you betray me?! Is there some stupid cosmic force that's gonna make a judgment call?! You're already in so much danger! Why do you have to constantly go so far?!"

"Sp-spinel, calm down. You're gonna fall," pleaded Steven, also worried about how loud she was shouting.

"Stop it," snapped Spinel. "Stop always putting me first! Is this why you've been so...affectionate with me?” She asked suddenly. “Did they actually bind your heart to mine in some way? Or since the spell tied your life to mine...you're feeling attached?" Her mind was racing and coming to all kinds of conclusions all on her own. Feeling like an idiot for thinking that Steven might actually be feeling something for her. It was probably all due to the Spell that bound his heart to her life.

"What?! No!" Steven replied quickly, getting to his feet and holding out his arms just in case Spinel fell over.

Spinel pushed against his chest in an attempt to show him that she didn't need him to fuss over her. However, she forgot how strong Steven was and how weak she had become now that she was in human form. When she tried to shove him away, she just ended up falling backward to sit on the bed and Steven didn't budge. Angry tears formed at the corner of her eyes. His heart is bound to her life, so of course he was probably confusing his feelings because he was connected to her now. “Gah, I feel so stupid! I let you risk your life again! You keep doing these things…as if you don’t care about your own safety! Why?! All I’ve ever been able to do is thank you for it! Now that you’re bound to my life…you’re only going to get worse!”

“Spinel, please, just calm down for one second,” he tried again. “Look, they weren’t going to let me stay with you if I didn’t sign that contract. Also, my heart may be bound to your life, but it has nothing to do with how I feel or act. It was my choice. I didn’t want to leave you, so I chose to bind myself. The terms didn’t matter to me at all because I knew I would never betray you or let you get hurt. I didn’t see this contract as changing anything. And I have never wanted anything in return from you. You know that.”

“You just don’t get it. You think it doesn’t change anything, but it changes everything. Steven, I…”   Spinel stopped and took a breath, wiping the tears the threatened to trail down her cheeks. “You need to value your own life more. You can’t keep getting hurt or risking your life for me. How do you think it would make me feel if you died? You did this because you didn’t want to leave me alone…but if you died I’d be left alone anyway. Your life is important to me. For you to gamble it like this, I hate it. Wouldn’t you be upset if I did something similar for your sake?”

That stung a bit. Spinel was right. If he’d found out that she’d signed anything with her life at stake, he wouldn’t like it at all. It was a selfish decision on his part to sign that contract. He just didn’t want to be separated from her so soon. He really didn’t think it through. “…I’m sorry,” he began, getting down on one knee yet again. “I…should have spoken with you first. I was just worried you would force me to leave rather than sign it and stay. It was selfish of me.” He placed his palm at her cheek tenderly, urging Spinel to look his way.

“…yes it was…” replied Spinel, stubbornly keeping her gaze from his. “Every time I think I might understand you…you do things like this. And soon it will be even worse. Since you’ve bound yourself to my life…you might start feeling attached to me…and you might confuse those feelings for something else. Binding Magic is very strong after all.”

“Anything I might feel from now on will have nothing to do with some spell.” Steven insisted, feeling slightly offended that Spinel would suggest any affection he showed her would be solely due to some contract.

“...but we don’t know that for sure…” Spinel mumbled.

“Yes we do. I know you can’t really think that. Why are you so insistent about this?”

“Because…wouldn’t that mean…it wouldn’t be our fault?” Spinel suggested, finally looking his way. “I mean, if feelings started to change, it could be because of the spell and anything that happened wouldn’t be our fault…”

“Our fault?” Steven repeated, a little taken aback. Was she doing this on purpose? Was this her way of getting back at him for the contract? No, she wouldn’t go that far. The beginning of this day had been terribly confusing. “Spinel…you’re very special to me,” he decided it was fine to at least say that much, right? “If you really want to attribute that to some spell, then you can, but it’s not going to change anything.” As Steven slowly got to his feet, he paused for just a moment to kiss Spinel’s cheek before standing upright. “I need to go and wash up, do you need anything?”

Spinel stared up at Steven in silent shock, brushing her fingers lightly against her cheek where his lips had touched. All she could do was shake her head slowly in response and Steven smiled down at her before he headed for the washroom, shutting the door behind him, leaving a surprised and confused Spinel to sit alone. How was this happening? Was it really not because of the magic placed on him? If not, how had it happened so fast? Could she even come to terms with feelings like this? Steven was a human and she was eventually going back into the ocean. He couldn’t follow after her and she certainly couldn’t stay on land forever when humans were intent on hunting down her kind. Wouldn’t it be kinder to pretend nothing had changed between them? Still, after all this, it would be difficult to feign ignorance. Even if she wasn’t entirely certain of Steven’s thoughts on all this, she could no longer deny how she was feeling. It had happened all too quickly, but Spinel was falling for Steven and she didn’t know what to do about it. 

A/N: Sorry! I know I said this chapter would be up sooner than this,  but I ended up getting home SUPER late from work and still needed to finish some of it. So it’s a little late, but here you go!

[zi-i-think]

5 | Crankiness runs in the Family

Pairing: Zuko x Ama (oc)

Word Count: 7000+

.☽☼☾.

          The sky was clear, the oceans as blue as can be, and the day couldn't be more perfect. The group was going back to the Fire Nation from Hira'a. Returning with Zuko's mom and her family.

         Kiyi and Aang were riding on one flying dolphin-fish beside the boat while Ama rode on another. All of them had the biggest smiles on their faces. Ama never rode on a flying dolphin-fish before. And she never saw any harm in trying new things.

         She saw Katara wave at them from the boat, so she waved back, before setting both her hands on the dolphin-fish's back again to steady herself. She loved the feeling of the water spraying on her skin and smell of the sea.

         "Kiyi! Come back!" A voice shouted. Ama looked over, seeing Ursa by the railing, shouting for her daughter. Zuko stood close by in his Fire Lord robes and crown.

         "Don't worry, Ursa. She's perfectly safe with Aang." Ama heard Katara tell Ursa. Aang immediately flew off the dolphin-fish with Kiyi. Ama followed suit, water bending to get back onto the boat.

         "I promise, Kiyi wasn't ever in danger." Aang assured Ursa while Kiyi clung onto Aang.

         "Kiyi!" Ursa grabbed a hold of her daughter and held her in a close hug as she sat on the ground. "I can't lose you! I can't!"

         "Let go! Let go!" Kiyi fought against Ursa. And when her mom did let go, Kiyi went straight to her dad and hid behind his legs. "Daddy, I wanna go downstairs!"

         Ikem stared at his wife with concern. He picked up Kiyi and the little girl buried her head in his shoulder, facing away from her mother. "All right, honey. Whatever you want." Ikem carried Kiyi inside the ship.

         Zuko sat next to his mom and put his hand on her shoulder. "Give her time." He assured her.

         "I know. Not every little girl has to deal with her mother changing faces." Ursa rationalized.

         "Ursa, I'm so sorry I worried you!" Aang jumped in. "But believe me, flying dolphin-fishes are among the gentlest creatures in the world."

         "No, Avatar. I'm the one who should be sorry." Ursa held up her hand, refusing Aang's apology. "I'm embarrassed that I overreacted like that. Now, if you'll excuse me." The former Fire Lady stepped away from her son and Aang and stood by the railing to look out at sea.

         "You shouldn't worry." Ama stepped next to her boyfriend, noticing his slightly furrowed eyebrow and frown. "Things are going to be fine."

         "I know." He muttered, putting an arm around his girlfriend. "It's just been years since she's been back. I don't want her to feel uncomfortable or unsafe."

         "She might at first. After everything your dad put her through. But she'll feel safer as time goes by." Ama told him honestly. Zuko nodded. There wasn't much he could do after all.

.☽☼☾.

         The day went by and night time fell upon them. Sokka, Katara, Ama and Aang packed their things and loaded them on Appa.

         "You guys are leaving already?" Zuko asked as he walked towards them.

         "Yep." Aang answered.

         "Going back to Capital City is going to bring up all sorts of stuff for your mom, for Kiyi, for all of you." Katara started to explain.

         "You need to figure it out as a family." Aang told Zuko.

         "We'd just be in the way. Especially dolphin-fish riders over here." Sokka quipped, putting his arms around Aang and Ama and bringing them close to him.

         "You guys haven't really had any bonding time yet, dragonfly." Ama said, getting out of Sokka's grip to step closer to Zuko. "This will be your chance."

         "I guess that makes sense." Zuko sighed, saddened to see his friends leave so soon.

         "What, you can't part with me for a week?" Ama teased, making the Fire Lord blush.

         Zuko pulled his girlfriend in for a hug. "Just a week right?" He whispered in her hair so the others wouldn't hear how clingy he sounded.

         "I promise. It won't be more than a week till we see each other again." Ama chuckled. When they pulled away from the hug, Ama leaned up to place a soft kiss on Zuko's lips.

         "Oogies!" Sokka complained just for the fun of teasing them, while Katara and Aang just giggled.

         Zuko pulled away as soon as Sokka spoke with an annoyed expression while Ama gave her brother the middle finger. Zuko turned his attention to the rest of the group, giving them all individual hugs.

         "Thank you guys. For everything." Zuko genuinely meant it. He truly didn't know where he'd be without his friends.

         "Happy to be there for you, buddy!" Sokka pat Zuko's back.

         Once they were done with their goodbyes, the group got into Appa's saddle and took off. "We'll see each other again before you know it!" Aang shouted, everyone was leaning on the edge of the saddle waving down. "Yu Dao's inaugural celebration is in a week."

.☽☼☾.

         A month had passed and not only had Ama not seen Zuko, but she hadn't even gotten a letter. She stayed with Aang and the others as they solved troubles from town to town. And if she were being honest, she missed it. Traveling to different and new places. She loved to meet the different people and learn their cultures.

         But she didn't forget that she hadn't seen her boyfriend for a month. It wouldn't have bothered her as much if she knew why he didn't try to communicate.

         At Ba Sing Se, Aang was leading a meditation with his Air Acolytes. The rest of the original members of Team Avatar finished their shopping and packed it all on Appa.

         "Hey, sweetie! You guys done?" Katara asked as they poked their heads into Iroh's tea shop. All of the acolytes had left, so they assumed their session was over.

         "Just finished!" Aang exclaimed.

         "Perfect timing! We just got everything packed on Appa!" Sokka pointed his thumb at Appa. They went further into the shop to bid their farewells to Iroh.

         "Where are you headed?" Iroh asked them.

         "To the South Pole!" Sokka said excitedly. "It'll be our first time back since the end of the war."

         "We've been planning this trip ever since running into a couple of Katara's old friends at the Earthen Fire Refinery!" Aang added.

         "They were right. We should've gone back sooner to help rebuild." Katara spoke.

         "Plus, we'll finally get to see dad." Ama smiled, excited to see her dad after so long.

         "And go penguin sledding!" Aang was excited to do the usual child-like activities he doesn't usually do as the Avatar.

         "And eat some of auntie Ashuna's seal jerky!" Sokka's mouth was practically watering at the thought.

         "What? You hate auntie Ashuna's seal jerky!" Ama chuckled at her brother.

         "You mean I hated auntie Ashuna's seal Jerky!" Sokka corrected her. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder."

         "Ama, I didn't know you were going to the South Pole." Iroh stated, tilting his head in confusion.

         "No, I was supposed to go with them from the beginning. Zuko was supposed to come with, but." Ama just shrugged instead of completing her sentence. She didn't want to look like it bothered her that Zuko sent no attempts to communicate.

         But Iroh could still tell it made her upset. He pulled her into a comforting hug. "You know Zuko. He doesn't want to worry people. I've heard that there was some trouble in the Fire Nation." Ama just nodded as she pulled away from the hug.

         "Thank you, Iroh." Ama gave him a fond smile. "I'll be sure to come back soon."

         "Let's get moving!" Aang announced, already walking out. "Weather's perfect right now. If we hurry we can probably get to-" Before he could finish what he was saying, a red messenger hawk with the Fire Nation insignia flew down and perched onto Aang's shoulder. Taking out the message, Aang read over it.

         "Aang, what is it?" Katara asked.

         "It's from Zuko." Aang told them. "He needs me." Ama's heart clenched a little. Oh, so he can send Aang a message but not me?

         "So," Katara had a disappointed tone. "You're going to the Fire Nation, then?"

         "I think I have to." Aang replied. "Hey, why don't you guys come with me? I'm sure it won't take long!"

         "It's spirit world stuff." Sokka pointed out. "When was the last time spirit world stuff didn't take long."

         "And dad's expecting us." Katara added.

         "I'll go." Ama stepped forward to stand next to Aang. "I don't like being kept in the dark."

         Katara placed a hand on her boyfriend's shoulder. "You go help Zuko, Aang. Take Appa so you can meet us at the South Pole after things are settled."

         "I'm sorry, Katara." Aang hugged the waterbender.

         "Nothing to be sorry about. It just comes with dating the Avatar." Katara said sadly.

         Once saying their goodbyes, Aang and Ama mounted the flying bison and headed to the Fire Nation. Ama kept her arms crossed as she looked at the passing clouds.

         "Are you okay?" Aang looked over at her from Appa's head.

         "He promised he wouldn't shut me out." The water bender said sadly. Aang frowned at her hurt expression.

         "I'm sure Zuko has an explanation." Aang did his best to cheer her up. Ama just muttered a 'maybe' and moved to lay down on the saddle. She stared up at the sky, letting her eyes grow heavy to get some rest.

.☽☼☾.

         The moment Ama and Aang walked into the meeting room, Ama felt like a huge boulder was flung at her. And she actually knew what that was like after the countless times of sparring with Toph. Actually, no. It felt worse than that.

         Standing by the rectangular table was an older gentleman, looking like he was giving a presentation. And sitting at the table was a boy Ama had never met, Zuko, and Mai.

         It wasn't like Mai and Ama had bad blood. But they weren't necessarily friends. When Ama met the Fire Nation girl after Zuko's coronation, she really tried to have a conversation, but Mai didn't seem all that interested in anything. Plus there was the jealousy that Ama did her best to ignore. And seeing Mai there after Zuko and she hadn't had any connection for a month definitely wasn't helping her green monster.

         "Zuko!" Aang greeted happily when he and Ama entered the meeting room.

         "Avatar Aang! Ama!" Zuko stood from his seat to greet the two. "Thank you for being her buddy."

         "No problem." Aang assured him. Even through he would much rather be at the South Pole with his girl friend.

         "Hey, waterlily." Zuko turned to her with a nervous tone.

         "Oh, you know you fucked up." Ama pointed at his chest with a glare. Zuko's eyes were wide and his mouth agape. "I expect an explanation later."

         Zuko nodded and them moved aside, revealing Mai. "You remember-"

         "Mai!" Aang greeted happily.

         "Hello, Aang." Mai smiled at him. The airbender, unlike Ama, was able to make anyone like him with his cheerful attitude and grin.

         "And this is Kei Lo." Zuko introduces the last man in the room. "Mai's boyfriend." Ama hated that her body instantly relaxed a little when Zuko mentioned that Mai had a boyfriend. "And finally, please meet Constable Sung. He's leading the investigation into the kidnapping." The last man in the room was introduced.

         "I'm honored, Avatar." Constable Sung bowed.

         "Nice to meet you, Constable-" Aang bowed back, but his mind back-tracked at what Zuko said. "Wait, kidnapping?!"

         "Last night, my little brother Tom-Tom was taken by a band of dark spirits." Mai had a tone of worry and concern. And who could blame her. Even she shows enough emotion when it comes to family.

         "You saw them?" Aang asked.

         "I fought them." Mai told him. "They were kemurikage."

         "Who?" Ama wondered.

         "Dark spirits who supposedly haunt the mountains just outside my home village, I recognized them from stories my parents used to tell me." Mai explained. Ama had a frown. Usually fables told by parents were only meant to scare their kids. Not actually true. It wasn't making sense why these spirits would appear now.

         "Several reports of dark spirit sighting came in from all over Capital City, though Tom-Tom was the only abductee." Constable Sung pointed at multiple areas on a map behind him.

         "Constable, were these reports from-?" But Aang didn't get the chance to finish his question due to some ruckus in the hallway by the door.

         "Get off me!" The voice of an older man grumbled at the guards and pushed aside the red curtain to enter the room. "My son's missing, and you're worried about Palace Protocol?"

         "Apologies, Fire Lord!" One of the guards had a horrified expression as he poked his head into the room. "We asked him to wait, but-"

         "It's all right, he's the victim's father. He ought to be informed." Zuko held up an arm to assure the guard that everything was fine.

         "Mai! I should've known you'd be here!" The middle aged man, named Ukano, stomped to the raven-haired girl.

         "Father." Mai sounded surprised, like she didn't know he'd be here nor that she wanted him here. Ama looked between the two. So this grumpy old man is Mai's dad? No wonder she's so dismal. The guy's a blowhard.

         "This is all your fault, daughter." He pointed an accusing finger at her. "If Tom-Tom were still with me in our home, he would've been safe! I would've made sure of it." Mai was silent as she looked down at the ground in guilt. "You may hate me, but you know I'm right."

         "Oh, come on!" Kei Lo interrupted the family dispute. "No house it safe from dark spirits!"

         "You stay out of this, boy!" Ukano looked at the boy with hate, but also a tingle of betrayal.

         "Please, everybody! Calm down!" Aang stepped between the two men with his arms on each side of him. "All this arguing isn't helping us find Tom-Tom! We need to put our heads together and figure out what to do next!"

         "I'll tell you what needs to happen next!" He then turned his attention to Zuko, pointing a finger at him. "Our 'Fire Lord' needs to grow a spine! Everyone knows the spirit world begins acting up when the human world is weak!"

         Zuko's gold eye's raised in surprise at the accusation. He had his own doubts about his own leadership and it was no secret that many of the citizens didn't like him on the throne either.

         "No! That isn't how the spirit world works!" Aang disagreed. And his word should be more trustworthy as the Avatar, especially over some bimbo. "The balance between the human and the spirits has nothing to do with strength!"

         "Show that you're worthy, Zuko." The man stepped even closer to Zuko. "Declare a curfew to keep your citizens safe! Then send out an elite task force to fight the dark spirits!" Zuko, put his hand to his chin, giving the plan some thought. "Take down just one of them and we'll show the spirits that humans aren't to be trifled with!"

         "If that is your wish, Fire Lord, I'll begin gathering a Task Force. It may take some time, though." Constable Sung said.

         "Don't do it, Zuko." Aang urged. "A curfew would just make some folks more fearful!"

         "I have to agree with Aang." Ama crossed her arms over her chest and leaned on one leg. "Plus, how's a task force supposed to fight spirits? You can't use normal bending."

         "Let's first figure out exactly what happened to Tom-Tom. Then we'll know what to do next." Aang suggested strongly.

         "What the Avatar says makes sense." Mai agreed.

         Zuko shut his eyes to think. He was conflicted. Here he was given two completely different pieces of advice, and he had it was his job to make the better decision. Mai's father came from a more offensive perspective, one that many of the Fire Nation citizens still had. Then he had his closest friends telling him that there was a different way of going about the problem.

         As soon as his eyes opened again, Zuko sent Aang a thankful smile. "Wise advice, Avatar."

         "This is ludicrous." Ukano raised his voice in anger. "You'd rather listen to some fool who knows nothing about the Fire Nation than one of your own citizens. As he talked he kept stepping closer to Zuko with a threatening look.

         Ama had it with the angry old man and protectively stepped in front of Zuko. "I'm going to need you to step out." Ama's tone was authoritative and she gave Ukano a hard glare.

         He glared back at her. "I refuse to listen to some snow savage whore." Everyone in the room gasped at his words. He'd been incredibly bold the entire time, but this was most definitely out of line.

         "You have no right to speak to her that way." Zuko's said lowly and angrily. He stepped around Ama, getting dangerously close to Ukano. He would've liked to kill him on the spot. "Constable, please escort Ukano out."

         Constable Sung nodded and started to lead Mai's father out of the room. "I knew it!" Ukano shouted. "You're unworthy of the throne, Zuko. You're an impostor!" Zuko's glare turned into a surprised look. Like the words coming out of Ukano's mouth clicked something in his mind. "Impostor! Impostor!"

         Zuko turned around at Mai, who looked incredibly embarrassed of her dad. "Mai, when the New Ozai Society attacked me and my family weeks ago, was your father part of that?"

         Mai was quiet for a moment, like she was thinking something over. "Not that I know of." When she said that Kie Lo looked confused, like they both knew something the others didn't.

         Zuko hummed. "I thought I recognized his voice."

         Aang butt in, already prioritizing Tom-Tom. "Mai, I need to know everything you know about the Kemurikage."

         "I've already told you." Mai grumbled. "They're just an old legend."

         "An old legend, huh?" Zuko thought. "Then I have an idea about where to find out more." He started to walk out of the room with a destination in mind. "Follow me." Ama and Aang were close behind, but Kei Lo an Mai stayed in the room to discuss something quickly.

         "Are you alright?" Zuko looked over at Ama with concern while they waited outside the room.

         "About what? The fact that my boyfriend didn't even send me a messenger hawk for a month or that I was just called a 'snow savage whore'?" Ama grumbled, putting her hands on her hips and glaring at Zuko.

         "Whichever is bothering you the most." Zuko whispered. He didn't want to see her mad or upset, even though he knew he probably deserved it.

         "A month." Ama spat out. "One minute you act like you can't even part with me for a week then the next you won't even speak with me? I understood you sending Iroh to the Yu Dao inaugural celebration, but then I heard nothing from you."

         "Things have been busy." He justified with a shrug.

         "That's not it, it takes 5 minutes to send a messenger hawk." The Water Tribe girl didn't get mad often. But when she did, you didn't want to be the one she was mad at. And Ama hated the feeling like she was overreacting, even if she weren't. This was why she tried to solve her problems before they escalated.

         Zuko sighed. "When we first arrived, my family and I were almost assassinated by the New Ozai Society." He explained. "The last thing I want is for you to be a target. Especially, since you're-"

         "From the Water Tribe." Ama interrupted.

         "Yeah." Zuko looked defeated.

         "Oh for crying out loud." Ama scoffed. "We already talked about this when we went to find you mom. You promised not to do exactly what you're doing right now. You don't want me to worry about things, but Zuko, the thing that worries me the most is you shutting me out."

         "Plus, I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself." Ama pokes his chest roughly. "Who was the one who took out Azula? Me. I can fucking blood bend."

         "I know." Zuko sighed. He was so in the wrong. And he knew it. He opened his mouth to apologize but Mai and Kei Lo finally stepped out of the room. And as room as they did. Ama started walking to the entrance of the palace to leave, and she could feel everyone's eyes on the angry girl.

         "Ama, you're going the wrong way." Aang's voice said, and it sounded like he was a little scared to say it, given the awkward atmosphere.

         The waterbender did a sharp 180 turn and passed the other four again. "I knew that." She grumbled with her index finger pointed in the air.

.☽☼☾.

         Appa landed at the front of the Fire Sages Capital Temple. In the dark, the temple looked majestic with the fire-lit torches decorating the dark walls. Zuko led the way up the stairs, walking with purpose.

         "Whoa. What is this place?" Kei Lo marveled at the structure.

         "The Fire Sages Capital Temple." Mai answered his question.

         "You've been here before Mai?" Kei Lo wondered how she knew that.

         "Once." Mai recalled. "An ex thought it'd be romantic to share a meal over the burial site of his ancestors."

         "And he was right. It was romantic." Zuko looked back at them. He meant it to be more a quip than to be serious. Still Ama couldn't help but let her jaw drop in jealousy. She and Kei Lo looked at each other with the same face. The two knew nothing about each other, yet here they were. Sharing the same look.

         Aang looked back at the two awkwardly, Mai and Zuko already stepping into the temple. "So! You guys! How about we, y'know-" He had no idea what to say. "Get goin on the, uh- Whatever it is we came here to do?!" With a quick breath in and out. Ama walked in, Kei Lo following.

         "Great Sage Shyu!" Zuko greeted the sage close by the entrance. The old man was sweeping the floor, a chore no one finds exciting, so he grinned when he saw the Fire Lord approaching with the Avatar close behind.

         "Fire Lord! Avatar! What a pleasant surprise!" Sage Shyu greeted.

         Aang and Zuko both bowed before him. "So good to see you again, Shyu!" Aang said respectfully.

         "I'm sorry it's been so long since my last visit." Zuko apologized. "Things have been busy."

         "You know what Fire Sage Kaja used to say: the busier we are, the more attention we must pay to our interior life." Fire Sage Shyu pointed out.

         "True, but-" Zuko tried to explain.

         "My brother Sages and I recently revived a couple of old practices that may be of interest to you! In fact, I'm teaching a new meditation class that-"

         "I'd love to hear more, Shyu - I swear - but right now, my friends and I need to get into the catacombs." Zuko hated to interrupt, but hey, they were all in a rush.

         The Fire Sage sighed. "Of course." The old man walked to the middle of the temple, where a circular design with locks only a fire bender could open stood.

         "Does the Fire Lord visit often?" Aang wondered. Everyone was standing off to the side to allow the Sage to do his thing.

         "Sure. Sometimes for the view, sometimes for the dusty old scrolls in the catacombs." Fire Sage Shyu answered a bit bitterly. "Never for my meditation classes." He then lit 6 small fires around him onto the designed locks before punching to the ground. The center, where he stood, stayed still, but the designs split apart and moved to the side, revealing the downward spiral stairwell.

        Aang and Zuko lit fires into their hands for light. Zuko led the group as they walked single file and Aang was in the back. As soon as they hit the bottom, the hallway was wider. The roof was curved and it looked like there was a very large creature's ribs decorating it. Based on the large dragon skulls that decorated the walls, Ama could only assume the ribs once belonged to a dragon.

        "So this is where the Fire Lords are buried?" Kei Lo asked curiously.

         "Yes." Zuko said in a serious tone. The catacombs reminded him of the last few generations of his family. Something he took no pride in.

         "Reserve a place for yourself yet?" Ama asked. She knew she shouldn't, but the petty thought was there and the words came out without her consent.

         "What's that supposed to mean?" Zuko turned around with a confused look but an angry tone.

         "Oh calm down, Fire Lord Zuko. It was just a question." Ama spoke calmly, just to annoy him.

         Luckily, Kei Lo interrupted the couple bickering. "Is that supposed to be Fire Lord Sozin?" He pointed at the large image of the old Fire Lord that was on the wall.

         "My great grandfather, yes." Zuko answered. They all stared at it for a moment.

         "Looks like a crank." Kei Lo said.

         "Crankiness runs in the family." Ama sent a taunting smirk at Zuko. He sent her a glare and Ama quickly glared back. Quips like this were the usual little taunts that Ama and Zuko had, but given their current relationship situation, Ama meant it more harshly.

         "So, how's this visit gonna help us, Zuko?" Aang grabbed his attention.

         "Just follow me." Zuko grumbled, continuing to lead then down the passage. The left was a black and white mural with people fire bending, dragons, a sun, and other pictures. "Look at this." Zuko admired. "This mural illustrates the history of the Fire nation, including it's myths and legends."

        "Oh, yeah." Aang observed it.

         Then, at the end of that hallway was the entrance Zuko was looking for. The fire emblem was on it and four metal dragon head fire locks at arms height. "But it all stops here?" Aang asked, talking about the brief murals of Fire Nation history.

         "When Sozin came to power, he ordered the rest of this corridor sealed off, as if Fire Nation history began with him." Zuko explained.

         "Why does it all stop here?" Aang wondered.

         "He wanted access, just in case. You can still learn from the past, even if you officially deny its existence." Zuko answered. "I'm guessing we'll find a clue about the kemurikage behind that wall." Zuko pointed at the entrance to the next corridor..

         Aang observed the tall doors for a moment before turning back to the Fire Lord. "You know, there's something just like this in the Sage's temple on Crescent Island! Zuko, if you and I send fire blasts into each of the dragon's mouths, the whole thing will open right up!"

         "Worth a try." Zuko shrugged. The two stepped back and got into position to blast flames into two dragon mouths at the same time.

         "Ready when you are." Aang said.

         "You might want to stand back." Zuko told the other three.

         "We're fine, thanks." Ama said dryly with her arms crossed and putting her weight on her right leg.

         Zuko clenched his jaw. He knew what he did was wrong, but he really didn't know where all of Ama's rude behavior towards him came from. He didn't have time to talk to her about it, though. There were other things to worry over. So he focused his attention on the wall they had to get through.

         At the same time, Zuko and Aang shot their flames into the dragon's mouths. But it didn't budge. "Let's go again." Aang suggested. And they did try again. And again. And again. And then a couple other times.

         "Nothing." Zuko grumbled. The frustration in his voice was obvious.

         "Huh. Maybe if we give it one more try-" Aang suggested again.

         Kie Lo ran to one of the dragon heads and observed it with both his hands and eyes. "You've given it twenty tries already! My turn."

         "I didn't know you could fire bend, Kei Lo." Aang commented, scared that he had offended Kei Lo in some way.

         "I can't." Kei Lo said matter-of-factly then he turned to Mai with his hand out. "Mai, can I borrow four of your throwing knives?" Mai looked very curious at what he was doing, but handed him her knives. Kei Lo stuck the knives into the dragon's nose, fumbling around like he was looking for something. "If you had taken the time to study the dragons - instead of just blasting away - you would've noticed that the locking mechanisms aren't located in the dragons mouths."

         "Wait, you gonna pick the dragon's noses?" Aang looked disgusted, despite the dragons being fake. "That seems awfully disrespectful. Not to mention gross."

         "Babe, can you help me out." Kei Lo asked Mai, holding up two of her knives.

         "Sure." Mai agreed and took the knives from his hand.

         "'Babe'?" Aang whispered to Zuko.

         "You're not really one to talk, Aang." Zuko dryly said, referring to the 'sweetie' nickname Aang and Katara have.

         Kei Lo held his arms around Mai, from the back, his hands holding her wrists in a guiding way. Her hands were in two separate nostrils of two different dragons. Ama would have laughed if her mind weren't elsewhere.

         Am I over reacting? Ye- No! Zuko refused to talk to you. You're constantly worried about him and in return he just keeps you in the dark! I'm not some damsel in distress! And now with Mai here- wait. Is he jealous?

         Ama's eyes traveled from looking at Zuko to his line of sight. He was looking at Mai and Kei Lo. But not in a jealous way like Ama thought. He was actually happy that Mai found something that could bring a smile to her face, something he could rarely do. Ama's tried to reason that he wasn't giving them a jealous look. But the things Azula said before were getting to her and her own jealousy wasn't letting her see things clearly.

         "Give each a counter-clockwise twist-" Kei Lo instructed, he had his hands in two of the dragon's nostrils just like Mai. "- Now!" The two twisted teh knives at the same time and the giant door moved to the side to open.

         "Well, look at that!" Aang ran ahead. "You were right, Zuko! The mural keep's going!" Aang stared at the walls.

         "I'm impressed." Mai locked arms with Lei Lo and a smile on her face. "Any other criminal talents I don't know about?"

         "Stick around. Maybe you'll find out." Even though they were already dating, Kei Lo flirted with Mai, sending her a sly wink.

         Zuko walked faster to keep up with Ama's pace. "Ama, we need to talk."

         "Why does that sound so familiar." Ama put her pointer finger on her chin like she was in thought. "Oh yeah, cause we always seem to 'need to talk' nowadays."

         "Why are you being so cold?" He hissed. He didn't want to get angry at her, but she was pushing his limits. Her demeanor made him feel like he couldn't even hold her hand. He thought if he did, she would twist his hand and break it.

         "I don't know, how about I ignore your existence for a month and then you can tell me how you feel." Ama had a fake excited tone. But she rolled her eyes once she was done talking.

         "Well if you were mad at me then why even come?" Zuko questioned. "And why defend me when Ukano was being threatening?" Ama huffed and crossed her arms.

         Because I miss you. Because I care about you. Because I love you.

         "Because I needed an explanation. And all I got was a lousy excuse." Ama told him. What she said wasn't exactly a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth.

         "Come on, waterlily. I apologized." Zuko begged. He just wanted to hold her hand. To feel her soft, cool skin against his rough, hot skin. He loved every part of her. Each emotion and each expression. But not when she was hurting.

         Ama stopped at the intersection for the next corridor and looked at him. Her mouth was agape and her eyebrows pinched together. "No, Zuko. You didn't apologize." Zuko's eyes widened and thought back. Trying to remember if he did. But he didn't and he just realized. Ama left him standing there and followed the group ahead. "Oh, look, more of Zuko's cranky ancestors." She said loudly for him and the others to hear.

         "They don't all look cranky." Aang defended Zuko, holding his fire up to one of the murals. "This guy's more... stoic." Aang looked over at Zuko who made his way to the front of the group. "How many Fire Lords were there?"

         "I'm not sure. The history books I studied as a kid all began with Sozin." Zuko replied, looking at the first man painted on the wall. "But I bet this is the first one who united the Fire Islands.

         "Guys, I think I found what we're looking for." Kei Lo called them over, and everyone crowded around him and the mural behind him. "The spirits who kidnapped Tom-Tom – that's exactly what they looked like!" The mural behind them had dark ghost-like figures and terrified looking people painted on.

         "The kemurikage." Mai muttered.

         "Creepy." Aang commented.

         Ama figured that the mural wasn't enough and moved away from the group. There was a little compartment that looked kinda like a house and inside was a scroll. "And this must be their story. Can I get a light Aang?" She asked, pulling the red scroll out.

         "I got it." Zuko said immediately. He stood by her closely. Ama looked over at him. The fire illuminating his face and the reflection was in his golden eyes. Ama could stare into his eyes forever. It was her favorite feature of him. Because when he got excited or happy, they sparkled. But in the moment, it hurt her. Because her unusually stubbornness made her feel dirty to admire him.

         Snapping back to the task at hand, Ama looked over at the scroll while Aang, Mai, and Kei Lo crowded around them to see the scroll. "Long ago, long before the Fire Nation came into existence, warlords ruled the Fire Islands." She read. "They fought one another for territory and often the common people were caught in the middle. All the warlords were cruel and ruthless.

         "But worst of them was a brute named Toz. Feast or famine, Toz demanded annual tributes from all the villages in his territory. One year, a village dared to refuse Toz his tribute. And so, to teach them a lesson, Toz had all the village's children kidnapped. The children were never seen again, and the village's mother's died in sadness."

         "How horrible!" Aang exclaimed. "Where was my past life in all this?!"

         "Maybe this was before the first Avatar." Zuko suggested.

         "Shut up. I'm not done." Ama grumbled and started to read the scroll again. "Soon after the mothers' deaths, dark spirits began to haunt Toz and his men. Every so often, they would drift into the warlord's encampment in the middle of the night. The next morning, a child would be gone. Out of fear, Toz's men abandoned him. His regime collapsed. However, the dark spirits - the Kemurikage- continue to appear, even to this day, their sadness insatiable."

         "Eesh." Kei Lo spoke. "Maybe Sozin kept ancient Fire Nation history locked away because it's so depressing."

         "Tell me about it." Mai commented.

         "Ama, I think you summoned something by reading that scroll!" Aang said in worry. He saw a smoke-like glow come from one of the murals. "Look!" He held out his hand as the light went around his wrist. "Whoa." He awed. "Neat." Aang ran down the hallway, following the light.

         "Aang! Where are you going?" Zuko called after him. "It could be dangerous down there."

         "But I think it wants me to follow it!" Aang called back. Ama set the scroll back where she found it and ran after him, everyone else at her side

         "This kind of thing happen a lot?" Kei Lo wondered.

         "With the Avatar? All the time." Zuko replied.

         "Interesting friends you got there, Zuko." Mai grumbled.

         "Where are you leading us, little wisp of smoke?" Aang asked out loud.

         "Probably somewhere dark and dank." Mai quipped to Kei Lo.

         "Kind of like where we are now?" He joked back.

         "Oh, it'll be worse." Mai grumbled. She was never one to look on the bright side of things.

         "You know, you're pretty cute when you're pessimistic." Kei Lo flirted with a smirk.

         "Yeah, I know." Mai said back.

         Aang was giving the side conversations no attention. His focus was on the smoke. "Hey, smoke! Can you wait-" he talked to it like it was a living benign, which it may have been. The glowing blue smoke went to the mouth of a dragon statue on the wall. "No, don't go-" And the smoke disappeared inside. "Oh, monkey feathers! I bet this is another lock. Kei Lo, you think maybe you could-" Aang pointed.

         "No problem, Avatar Aang." The enthusiastic young man was already approaching the statue with two of Mai's knives. Sticking them in the dragon nostrils, he twisted them and the wall rumbled as it spun open slowly.

         "Looks like a crypt!" Aang observed stepping through the new door and down the steps.

         "Cool." Ama stepped in after him and had a look around. There wasn't much to see, just some more dragon statues and blank walls.

         "I'm not going in there." Mai instisted, standing her ground.

         "Kei Lo, maybe you could come along, in case there's something else to unlock." Aang hated to ask. It wasn't that he didn't trust Zuko alone with Mai, he knew Zuko wouldn't try anything. It had more to do with Ama's obvious jealousy and angry behavior.

         Kei Lo hesitantly looked back at the two. He on the other hand didn't really know much about Zuko and Mai's relationship. Still, he followed Aang and Ama down into the crypt. "Sure."

         Zuko and Mai didn't really have much to say at the moment. But it wasn't like the silence was uncomfortable. "This enough light? Because if the flame isn't big enough, I could-"

         "It's fine, Zuko. The less we see of this place the better." Mai responded dryly.

         "Oh, okay. You're right." Zuko agreed. "Kei Lo seems nice."

         "Yeah, he is." Mai agreed, smiling lightly at the thought of her boyfriend.

         "It's good to see you happy. You smile a lot when you're with him." Zuko smirked at how she smiled.

         "Yeah, he's good at doing that." Mai said. She didn't always like showing her emotions, but when it came to Kei Lo, she didn't seem to mind. "You and Ama don't seem to be on good terms." She spoke the obvious.

         "Tell me about it." Zuko grumbled, looking down at the floor in regret. "I know I messed up, and usually she lets things go, but not this time."

         "I'm not a therapist." Mai said dryly.

         "Right, sorry." Zuko rubbed the back of his neck.

         "But, you're my friend. Plus you're helping find my brother, so I guess I'll help you out." Mai sighed with a small teasing smirk. "You're really bad at letting people in Zuko. And Ama is starting to get really tired of it. I know what heartbreak looks like. And she has that look."

         "I've hurt her too often." Zuko sighed.

         "Yep." Mai unapologetically said and then poked his chest roughly. "And you better fix it before you lose her permanently."

         Zuko gulped at both the Mai's threatening tone and at the thought of losing Ama. Spirits, that's the last thing he wanted.

         Meanwhile, Ama, Aang and Kei Lo were following the bright smoke. It led them to a room with four columns at the corners of a coffin. Ama and Aang entered curiously while Kei Lo peeked in. He wanted to get out of there in both fear of the thoughts of spirits and because the thought of Mai and Zuko being together alone was eating him up. "Doesn't look like you need my help! Maybe I should-"

         "Kei Lo, something's happening!" Aang gasped.

         The glowing smoke spiraled in front of the coffin and turned into the spirit on the murals. The kemurikage. "Greeting, Avatar." A feminine and breathy voice spoke.

         "You.. You're one of the kemurikage - the original ones from long ago." Aang spoke respectfully while Kei Lo hid behind him.

         "I am." The spirit replied. "For centuries my sisters and I haunted the warlords of the Fire Islands, for their crimes we haunted them. We haunted them until the Islands were united into a single nation. The first Fire Lord, the one who rests in this crypt brought the warlords to justice and ushered in an era of prolonged peace. Our sadness receded. We never again set food in the human world."

         "But then why return now?" Aang wondered. "Why are you haunting people again?"

         "I repeat, Avatar." The spirit spoke more firmly. "From the time of the first Fire Lord until this moment, we have not entered your world."

         Aang's eyes widened. He didn't know who or what took Tom-Tom, but he did know that they weren't the kemurikage. Once respectfully bidding farewell to the spirit, Aang and the others were quick to get back on Appa head back to the city.

.☽☼☾.

And there's that! Things are going to get so much better the further you read. Hope you all enjoyed the chapter.

Hang loose, amigos 🤙🏼

[hotforharrison]

Unholy Divinity ch 5

Chapter 4 <-- Series Masterlist --> Chapter 6

Shiny new moodboard by the amazing @hazssouthernbelle!

Pairing: Harrison Osterfield/Reader/Tom Holland

Summary: Choosing to spend your eternity in heaven or hell should be easy, right? Yeah, not so much.

Word Count: 2,659

Warnings: Language & Smut

A/N: Have another longer than average part and enjoy the new moodboard that I’m madly in love with.

You passed time telling Tom stories about your life before you died, not sure if he knew them already or not, since he said he ‘handpicked’ you, whatever that meant. You figured that even if he did, it wouldn’t have been through your perspective.

Gradually, his bravado disappeared completely, and the new Tom made your heart melt a bit.

“You know, I’m not scared of you at all now,” you commented with a smile.

He sweetly kissed you. “As long as this stays between us, both here and in hell if you choose to join me. The king of hell can’t be seen as soft.”

“I promise it will,” you told him. “How are you so good at being the king of hell, though?”

“I was an actor when I was alive. The king of hell is just another role, but one that’s given me a lot more freedom than I ever had as a fallen angel,” he explained.

“How did you even become a fallen angel? You don’t seem like a bad person,” you commented.

“That’s a story for another time,” he answered.

You didn’t want to push him, after he’d already told you so much. “Anyway, now that you’re not the big scary king of hell in my mind, will you do everything you said when we slept together earlier next time?”

He laughed. “Of course. It’s a pity that next time isn’t right now, but Harrison could be back at any moment.”

As if he heard his name, Harrison walked in and took in the sight of the two of you cuddling fully clothed on the bed. “Didn’t think you were the type to linger, Tom.”

Tom stood up and put his jacket back on. “I promised you privacy, and now I know when you’re here, so I can make a point of not walking in on you cumming in your pants again. At least I’ve left her satisfied for now.”

“And she’ll realize what she was missing out on and be genuinely satisfied when you come back.” Harrison moved out of the way by the door to allow Tom to pass.

Tom stopped to kiss you, particularly dirty and long, while Harrison watched. “I’ll see you again soon, darling. It’s a good thing he can’t bore you to sleep.”

You watched as Tom walked out of the room, oozing confidence, falling into his role expertly. He was absolutely nothing like the boy he’d let you see when you promised to tell no one, the boy you could see yourself falling in love with.

As much as you’d enjoyed your time with Tom, you had wanted Harrison as well the entire time, constant and insistent at the back of your mind.

Without warning, you launched yourself at the gorgeous angel and kissed him, wrapping your arms around him.

“Did you miss me, pretty girl?” he asked, kissing you again before you could respond.

“So much,” you confirmed after he pulled away.

“I’m going to ask you something, and please be honest with me, alright?” he started.

“I will,” you agreed.

He moved back to look into your eyes, expression serious. “Tom didn’t do anything to hurt you, did he? I know I told you he wouldn’t, but then I spent the whole time I was away thinking too much about it, and I needed to make sure.”

“No. He didn’t do anything I didn’t want him to,” you answered, purposely leaving out the details.

“Good, I’m so glad.” He pulled you against him tightly, with a sigh of relief. “I don’t think I could live with myself if I left you in unsafe hands and something happened to you.”

You kissed him again, with both gratitude and want.

He pulled back and chuckled. “Did Tom really leave you that unsatisfied, love?”

“No, I just missed you a lot,” you told him, smiling.

“Since you missed me so much, is Tom out of your system?” he asked, lightly, but you could hear the hopeful undertones.

“Not yet.” If you were being completely honest, it was probably ‘not ever.’

“His lovers did always come back for more. I really wondered if that had changed, too, since his fallen angel fuckbuddies were leaving him,” he admitted.

You cringed. A big part of you wanted to correct him, tell him that Tom wasn’t who Harrison thought he was, that maybe they could reconcile, but that wasn’t your place. “He wasn’t at all selfish, if that’s what you mean.”

“So it was good for you?” he asked.

“For the most part, yeah,” you responded.

“I’m glad,” he said, then added teasingly, “anything I could improve on?”

“There’s something I want you to teach me,” you told him.

“What would that be?” he asked.

“I want to learn how to go down on a guy,” you replied.

“So you can know what you’re doing with Tom?” he guessed.

“Well, also you. It’s not like I plan on just doing this once and never again,” you said.

He chuckled. “Alright. I can show you, love.”

You grinned. “Thank you!”

“Yes, you should be thanking me for giving me a blowjob,” he commented, obviously amused. “I’m looking forward to returning the favor.”

“Me too. I’ve always wondered what that’s like,” you admitted.

He frowned. “Tom didn’t do that for you?”

You bit your lip while you were contemplating whether to explain or not, and eventually decided it wouldn’t be too revealing. “He was worried I wouldn’t tell him to stop if I didn’t want something. He wanted to see my face the entire time to make sure, since he’s the king of hell, and kind of...intimidating?”

Harrison’s expression softened. “I guess I’ll give him a pass on that.”

“I admit that I don’t know the story behind your falling out with him, but Tom’s really not as bad as you think,” you told him, knowing you were probably overstepping your bounds, but you desperately wanted them to be able to be in the same room with you. “Maybe you should talk to him sometime, without antagonizing each other.”

“Maybe,” he said. “It does feel kind of like we’re angry divorced parents sharing custody of you.”

You laughed.

“Would I be wrong if I said you probably won’t be making a decision any time soon?” he asked.

You shook your head. “You wouldn’t be wrong. As awful as purgatory is when I’m alone, this is probably the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make. I don’t want to imagine spending eternity missing either one of you.”

He pressed a gentle kiss to your lips. “I’d miss you, too, pretty girl. It’s been so long that I forgot what it felt like to see someone new, how exciting it is.”

You leaned forward to kiss him heatedly, lips parting and tongues meeting, your fingers stroking his wings teasingly. Your lips didn’t separate when you pushed him gently down and straddled him to grind against him, careful of his sensitive wings.

He pulled back from the kiss, breathing hard. “Stop, stop.”

You immediately climbed off of him. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No, I was just getting too close, and I didn’t want to delay your lesson,” he explained, getting up to take off his clothes.

You quickly pulled your clothes off, too, tossing them onto the floor beside the bed.

You didn’t feel the need to avert your eyes from Harrison’s body as more of it was revealed. When he was completely nude, the first thing you noticed was that he was markedly more well-endowed than Tom was. “What the fuck, you have a bigger dick!”

“Than Tom?” he asked.

“He told me you didn’t,” you responded.

“The king of hell lied to you. Surprising,” he said, drily. “I could have told you that, though. I wouldn’t be upset if you want to do something else if you’re uncomfortable or scared.”

“Thank you, but I think I’ll be okay. You aren’t as big as the guys in porn, and those girls handle them just fine.” You reached over to grab his hand and pulled him back toward the bed.

He sat up at the top of the bed, leaning against the headboard. “If you’re sure.”

“I’m sure.” You ran your fingers down his torso until you reached his cock where it rested against his stomach, wrapping your hand around it. Your fingertips and thumb didn’t quite meet around its girth. After a couple of uncertain strokes, you moved to lick him tentatively from base to tip and take him into your mouth.

He gasped, stroking your cheek with his thumb. “Fuck, love.”

You swirled your tongue around the head, precum bitter and a bit unpleasant, before you popped off. “This is supposed to be a lesson,” you teased.

He smirked down at you. “The lesson is anything you do is going to feel fucking amazing, as long as you make sure not to use your teeth, and be careful not to make yourself gag.”

You laughed and took him in your mouth again, wrapping your hand around the base. Remembering what he’d said about gagging, you slowly figured out how much of him you could take comfortably.

“So good for me, pretty girl,” he praised you between the little pleasured noises he made that you couldn’t get enough of. He slowly ran his fingers through your hair. You were pretty sure no one had ever looked at you with that much affection, and it made your heart swell.

It didn’t take long for his moans to grow louder and breathing more labored. “Oh god, I’m going to cum.”

You’d failed to consider what to do about that, but you decided to let him finish in your mouth. You wrinkled your nose at the salty and bitter taste. With no good place to spit it out, you instead swallowed it down.

“Oh no, I should have thought to warn you about that. I’m so sorry,” he apologized.

“It’s fine. It could definitely be worse,” you reassured him.

“Let me make it up to you, love,” he offered, carefully and effortlessly moving you to lie on the pillows at the head of the bed. It wasn’t just Tom, then. Angels apparently had super strength, too. That probably wouldn’t ever stop being hot.

You watched his head of blond hair descend as he peppered kisses down your torso, leaving your skin warm and tingling where his lips had touched it. He was obviously eager to get to his final destination.

“I promise next time I’ll take my time, but god, I want to taste you so bad,” he told you as he climbed between your spread legs and put them over his shoulders.

You inhaled sharply when his tongue pushed inside you, curving to easily find your g-spot, and his nose unexpectedly bumped against your already throbbing clit.

He pulled back to say, “you’re fucking delicious,” and then dived back in enthusiastically.

“Oh my god,” you moaned when he licked from your entrance up to your clit, circling it teasingly before finally flicking his tongue across it.

One, then two, fingers pressed into you, also curling to find your g-spot as he pumped them in and out unhurriedly. He pulled back again. “Want my dick after this?”

You nodded eagerly. “Please.”

His mouth returned to your clit, focusing on it more heavily than he had been. The stretch when he worked a third finger into you was enough to push you over the edge into an intense orgasm. Your hips rolled against his face as he stretched you more with his fingers while you were in the midst of your climax.

After you had come down from your high, he pulled his fingers out, taking a moment to lick them clean. He wiped his glistening face off on his arm, then climbed up your body.

“I want you inside me,” you begged him.

He reached down between your bodies to line himself up. His eyes were on yours as he pushed his hips forward until he popped inside you.

The stretch didn’t ache like it had with Tom, which surprised you, since Harrison was bigger. Although, if you were honest, your orgasm with Harrison had been much stronger than it had been with Tom, and you were also much less nervous.

“Ready for me to move, love?” he asked.

“Please,” you almost begged.

His thrusts started out as a gentle rocking, but gradually grew harder and faster, until he was fucking into you at a steady pace.

“Is it alright if I kiss you?” he asked, a bit breathlessly.

“Definitely,” you answered, wondering why he felt the need to ask.

His lips met yours in a sloppy kiss. You could taste yourself on his mouth and tongue, and realized that was why he asked, but found that you didn’t mind.

You heard something over your shared labored breathing and moans. You made eye contact with Tom standing in the doorway. He was holding a small pile of books and a few other things you were too far away to identify. He lifted his hand to wave, quietly placing the pile by the doorway, and walked away. A big part of you wished he would have stayed.

Harrison had apparently been too distracted to notice Tom’s presence.

You continued thoroughly enjoying what Harrison was doing, while simultaneously wondering what had just happened with Tom in the back of your mind.

Harrison pulled back from your kiss and slowed his thrusts. “Everything alright?”

“Yeah, everything’s good. Just got caught up in my thoughts for a minute,” you half-lied.

“Well, whatever you were thinking about just made you a lot wetter,” he commented, with a smirk.

You felt bad about the actual reason and decided to change the subject. “Can you make me cum again?”

“Of course, pretty girl.” He sped up again and snaked a hand between your bodies to rub your clit in quick circles.

It didn’t take much for you to reach a second climax, especially thinking that Tom had just been there, that he might have been watching you secretly before getting your attention. Your body’s pulsing and clenching around Harrison’s cock brought him over the edge with you.

After your breathing had slowed, and he’d softened quite a bit, he pulled out and rolled over next to you. You lay your head on his shoulder, but glanced over at the pile of things Tom had left by the door.

Harrison noticed where you were looking and saw it, too. “That wasn’t there before.”

“It wasn’t,” you agreed.

Several moments of silence passed. “Is Tom showing up why you suddenly got wetter?”

“Maybe?” You hid your face in his chest, embarrassed.

He chuckled. “I’m not upset. I’m just surprised he didn’t interrupt us.”

“He’s full of surprises,” you said.

Harrison moved to get up, padding across the room and grabbing the pile from by the door. “I’m curious what he brought you and why.”

“I’m curious, too,” you admitted.

“There’s a note. ‘To make purgatory less miserable.’ Let’s see. An mp3 player, a speaker, and some Airpods. A blank journal and some pens and pencils. The Great Gatsby, Lolita, The Notebook, The Kama Sutra, and the Bible.” Harrison laughed at that. “This is actually really sweet, and not something I can do for you.”

“You’re not allowed to bring things?” you asked.

“Afraid not,” he answered. “There’s no one in hell to tell Tom what he can and cannot do. It honestly reminds me of the little things he used to do for the girls he dated when we were alive. I thought that part of him was gone.”

“Maybe you should talk to him,” you encouraged for a second time, deciding that you weren’t going to stop until the two had a heart to heart.

Harrison sighed. “It’s honestly probably past time. We haven’t talked in ages. I’ll wait here with you until he comes back.”

Unholy Divinity tag list: @sarcasticsagittarius1998 @adayasgeorgia @moorehollandplz @thollandss @dasexydevitt13 @imagine-lovebug @relise-thefury @strang-ersclub @hollandisapuppy @goldenpeaxh @eeyore101247 @unholyhaz @definitely-not-black-cat

[imagine-loki]

Giftless

TITLE: Giftless CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: 27/50

AUTHOR: nekoamamori ORIGINAL IMAGINE: 

Imagine that you are Stark’s niece and you secretly share a strong relationship with Loki since he entered the crew. One day you get hurt so bad during a mission that you are about to die.  Loki knows a spell that will save you and share his immortality with you but you and he will be linked forever sharing thoughts, pain, emotions…

RATING: T NOTES/WARNINGS:  Also on AO3 click here

When you started to wake, the first thing you recognized was Loki’s voice. He must’ve sensed that you were beginning to stir, as that was when he started to speak.  “Stay calm, darling. You’re safe,” he soothed, his voice gentle and calming.  

You recognized his voice and forced your eyes open to look at him. Even that was too much effort. You were exhausted.  What came after exhausted?  That’s where you were.  Drained, body and soul.  

You finally looked around and recognized that you were in the infirmary.

Why were you in the infirmary? Why were you the one in the bed? Why was your head on fire? You felt like someone had dumped acid through your brain. And it was so loud, like everyone was chattering. Except that there was no one around. You felt so raw and bruised. “Loki?” you asked, hoarsely, your voice weak, like you’d been screaming all night from nightmares. Why was every moment so hard? You moved to sit up and he had to come help you and prop you up against the pillows. “What happened? Why are we here?” you managed to get the words out. You knew it was bad, though, for you to feel as awful as you did.  

How the hell had you ended up in the infirmary?

You almost never ended up here.

Loki hesitated, but finally answered. “You were drugged at the party last night.” His tone was soft, gentle, a healer’s gentle croon.  “Healer Julia told me that your memories might be affected this morning. They will return soon. It is a side-effect of the drug,” he waited for you to nod, to acknowledge and verify for him that you had understood his words. You nodded for him, though it made your head hurt even worse.  Gods, how could your head hurt even worse? “How are you feeling?” he was being overly cautious. 

Something was wrong.

Very wrong

You couldn’t lie to him, especially when you were obviously in such back shape. “Like someone poured acid through my brain,” you admitted softly.  

He gave you a tiny, wan smile. “That is a fairly apt description,”

“Loki, what happened?” you asked, truly concerned now. He was never like this. Even during the worst things that happened to him, he made jokes and made light of the situation. But whatever had happened to you had him shaken. You felt the stress and worry scraping painfully against the raw nerves in your brain. Items around the bed started floating on their own.

“Darling, I know that it is difficult, but you must remain calm. I will tell you what happened, but know that it was terrible. Before I begin, I have to warn you…” he hesitated. You took his hand for comfort. He gave you a real smile then.

“Tell me,” you bid him. All you wanted was to crawl off of this damn hospital bed and into his arms. You couldn’t do that. You were here for a reason and needed to stay in the bed. 

You then decided you didn’t care. You weren’t hooked up to any machines or anything. If the infirmary staff didn’t like it, they could just get over it. You managed to crawl out of the bed, despite Loki’s protests. When he figured out what you wanted, he helped pull you onto his lap and wrapped his arms around you to hold you there safely. You laid your head on his shoulder and felt you could finally relax. “Tell me, Loki,” you bid him again now that you were safe in his arms.

“What happened last night…blasted open your powers. That is why you are feeling like your mind was scrubbed with acid. Any small emotion is enough to set them off today. It will take awhile for the part of your mind that handles control of your powers to heal. I cannot help either,” he added before you could ask him to fix it.  “Today your have to be extra careful. Any use of your powers will be quite painful,” he explained gently, keeping his voice that careful healer’s croon.  

You weren’t surprised to find out that you had powers. It had been an expectation of all of the supers that eventually you would become one of them. It also… felt right, felt like part of who you were.  

It also wasn’t surprising that your powers had appeared now. Whatever happened last night must have been traumatic for you to be in the shape you were in. Trauma could trigger the manifestation of powers. It was such a well known fact that some kids who were desperate to be supers would jump off of buildings to try to force their powers to activate. It worked just often enough that kids kept trying it.

The rest of the results were tragic if one of the fliers weren’t circulating that day.

“I understand,” you told him finally. “I’ll try to stay calm. Will you tell me now?” you asked.  You needed to know what had happened.  

“You went to Claire’s birthday party last night. A couple hours into the party, you sent me a text that only said ‘help’. Tony and I came as fast as we could, but it was too late. That moronic football boy who has been troubling you had drugged your drink. He took you upstairs and raped you,” Loki didn’t mince his words or try to placate you with euphemisms.  You were surprised for an instant, until you realized that it was Loki’s way.  He would tell you exactly what had happened, no more, no less, which you were grateful for.

“Let’s see if your freaky alien boyfriend wants you after this. And I’ll get Stark’s fortune when I put a baby in your belly,” you heard the phantom words of memory. A piece of your missing memories from last night. 

You clutched tighter onto Loki when you heard them, fighting back a sob. Loki rubbed your back and stroked your hair until you calmed again.

“No matter what that asshole said to you, I am not going to abandon you because someone hurt you,” Loki promised. 

You looked up at him confused. “How did you know what he said?” you asked, fighting back you horror. Loki was telepathic, but he stayed out unless invited. You knew he wouldn’t eavesdrop now, not when you had already been violated.

“You were projecting, love. It appears telepathy is one of your powers.” Loki explained gently.  You relaxed in his arms, accepting that explanation. You felt him stiffen, before he forced the next words out. “Now that you know what happened, do you wish to move back to the bed? I will not be offended. I only wish for you to feel safe.” Now he was hedging around his question, but you understood what he was really asking.  He wanted to know if his touch upset you.  

If you felt unsafe with him because he was male. 

You probably should’ve felt uncomfortable with him.

But you trusted him, loved him, and while you felt dirty and unclean, you took comfort in the love he offered freely.

You shook your head. “I’ve trusted you from the day we met. You haven’t hurt me in all the time I’ve known you. You’re not going to now,” you told him softly. It might be awhile before you felt clean again, before you felt like you weren’t violated and broken. You weren’t sure you ever wanted sex again, but you didn’t have to worry about any of that right that moment.

You sat like that for a long while. You saw some of the nurses come by to check on you, but they seemed pleased with this development and let you be.

Until the memories came flooding back. With a quick hand movement on his part, Loki threw a dark green shield around you. You screamed and sobbed when you had to live through that horror again. It wasn’t just remembering. 

You had to relive every single moment of it.

The second the rememories had vanished, you scrambled off of Loki’s lap with more speed than you thought you could muster that day, and grabbed a nearby bowl, into which you were violently sick. You didn’t realize you were kneeling on the cold floor of the infirmary until you realized Loki was holding your hair back while you vomited. 

You looked up at him when the feeling of nausea passed. He offered you a hand to help you up from the floor. You stared at it for a moment before you took it and let him pull you to your feet. He settled you back in the bed. 

You realized he was looking green too and you wondered why. Had puking really grossed him out that much?  

Loki got you a glass of water and finally lowered the shields around the small room you were in. “Thank you,” you murmured.  You knew he’d helped you a lot, you just didn’t understand how much.

“I am so sorry you had to live through that, darling. I’m sorry I wasn’t fast enough to save you,” he told you, looking haunted and horrified.

“You…saw?” you asked, hoping against hope that you hadn’t made him relive it with you. 

He nodded.  For all that he was the god of lies, he wouldn’t lie to you. “Your power rose too fast and you got under my personal shields, which is a very impressive feat, my dear. I only just got the shield up to protect the rest of the compound,” he explained gently.  He really didn’t want to upset you and trigger more powers.  

“I’m sorry,” you told him, feeling more drained and raw than you had when you woke.

One of the nurses came in then. “I felt a… disturbance. Is everything ok in here, Kat?” she asked you, assuming that Loki had done something to upset you.  It was a safe assumption given the circumstances. 

“My memories from last night came back,” you told her. She nodded and gentled her look. “When can I go home?” you asked her, fighting to control your emotions and keep the emotion out of your voice. You hated hospitals.

“Soon, dear. We just need to run a couple more tests. Your body is healed, but Fury wants Tela to come up and take a look at your mind and power levels,” the nurse explained. You remembered that Tela always read the power level and abilities of new recruits. “Fury himself will be up to talk to you too,” you nodded again. She left and you let yourself lay back against the pillows. 

You looked over at Loki and gave him a pleading look.  “Will you read to me?” you asked him softly. 

He gave you a real smile then.  It was a taste of normalcy.  “Of course, darling. Any requests?” 

You thought about it for a moment. There was one story you had been dying for him to read aloud. He had the perfect accent for it. “Harry Potter?” you asked hesitantly. He raised an eyebrow, but summoned the book.

“Any book in the world, and you choose this one? It must be quite special indeed,” he replied before he opened the book.

“Harry is an old friend,” you told him, trying to explain in a way that didn’t make you sound like a crazy person. That tended to happen really quickly when you started talking about Harry Potter. “Surely there’s a hero whose tales you’ve read so many times that you can recite them in your sleep, whose tales you keep reading again and again because you miss hearing about them?” 

He smiled then, understanding. “The tales of Hiccup the Viking,” he replied with a fond smile. “Very well,” he turned a couple pages and began: “Mr and Mrs Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. They were the last people you’d expect to be involved in anything strange or mysterious, because they just didn’t hold with such nonsense” His tone and accent was perfect and you listened, enthralled by the tale, no matter how familiar it was. He also had the trick of doing the voices, and could mimic the actor’s almost identically, which made his telling even better.

“Kat?” Tony asked from the doorway. You looked up at him, surprised. You hadn’t heard him since you had been too busy listening to Loki’s telling of one of your favorite books. You waved Tony in. He came over and hugged you tightly. “I’m so sorry, Kat. We should never have left you there alone,” he told you, grief and blame in his voice.  

Uncle Tony always blamed himself when someone he cared for was hurt.

“I’ll be ok, Uncle Tony,” you tried to reassure him. “After Tela and Fury come see me, I can even go home,” you added, acting stronger and more together than you were feeling.

“The nurses said your powers were blasted open,” he said, prying you for information.

“Which makes me feel like death, but it’s nothing rest won’t heal,” you were hoping on that point anyway.  You really didn’t want to feel like death for the rest of your life. 

Tela came up and kicked the boys out so she could do the investigation. She looked in your mind, which was horrible and nearly made both of you puke, and took her reading of your powers. You knew she was going to report to Fury the second she scurried away. Tony and Loki came back in when she left. Loki placed a cold hand on your forehead for a minute, telling you how green you looked. It was soothing, though, so you gave him a smile.

It was only a few minutes later when Fury arrived. “Tony, good, you’re here. You need to hear this too. Sit,” Fury ordered. “How are you doing, Kat?”

“Better once I can go home,” you replied predictably. You really hated hospitals and they all knew it. Tony sat next to you on your bed.

Fury nodded. He was always down to business, and didn’t disappoint you on that point now. “I have a confession to make. I hope you will forgive me, but I know that is too much to ask. Don’t blame Tony, the decisions weren’t his.” 

You stared at him, confused. What had Fury ever done? He had let you stay here even though you weren’t a super and had taken you in and given you a family besides just Tony. 

Fury continued. “This is not the first time your powers manifested,” he finally admitted, cutting to the chase. “At the time, we thought it was best to block them. You were in no shape to learn control at the time. You were a thirteen year old who had just lost her parents. We were going to unblock them when you turned eighteen, after you graduated and could focus full-time on control. There’s no choice now. Tela told me that all the blocks we put in place four years ago have been ripped away in such a way that she can’t put them back if she wanted to, which she doesn’t, since she didn’t agree with the idea in the first place. Apparently, though, when the blocks were blasted away, it ripped away part of what allows a super to control their gifts. Long story short, it’s going to be hard, if not impossible for you to ever learn proper control, at least not until you fully heal. I’m sorry, Kat. We should have told you,”

You glared at him, unable to control the anger and betrayal you felt. 

“Kat, no!” Loki yelled, sensing your emotion flare.  As objects in the room started to float around you.

You tried to reign in the emotions as pain wracked its way through your brain. You clutched your head, sobbing from the pain as all of the objects that had started floating crashed back down. Tony was busy putting out a pillow that had caught fire. Loki wrapped his arms around you gently, trying to calm you, to get your powers back under control.

“You should have told me” you told Fury between sobs. 

“I should have,” he agreed. “But you didn’t see the inferno you created the night your parents died. There was a tornado of fire when we arrived. It took every firestarter, water, and ice super we had to get it under control until you passed out. I’m sorry for the decision that was made, but with that much power, we didn’t see the choice at the time. I’m sorry you’re hurting now and we will do everything in our power to help you learn to control your powers now.” 

You knew now that was going to be a lot harder than it sounded. At thirteen, you had enough power to make a fire tornado while half-conscious at best. Powers only grew with age and time. You should have been spending the last four years learning to control your powers. Instead, they were four years stronger and your control was not. “Get better, Kat. We get to work once you’re well,” Fury told you. That was as much as the stern man was going to give you on the subject. He left without another word.

“Can we go home now?” you asked Loki desperately. “It’s so loud in here,” you felt like you were whining, but you really hated hospitals. Tony looked at you confused.

“Kat, it’s a hospital. It’s quiet almost to a fault.” 

You shook your head. “Everyone’s chattering. It hurts,” Why couldn’t they hear it?

“That would be the telepathy, dear,” Loki told you gently. He held out his hand for you. “Here, let me shield you until we get you home,” you took his hand and felt the shield enclose around your mind. “I will teach you how to do that for yourself later,” he promised you when you gave him a look of such intense relief.

Tony was still confused when you looked over at him. “What?” you asked.

“You were… attacked…” stupid uncle using euphemisms “last night. I didn’t think you would be willing to accept the touch of any man for a long time, if ever, but you’re still treating him like your boyfriend,”

“He is my boyfriend,” you reminded him sourly.  Just because Tony barely tolerated Loki didn’t make Loki any less your boyfriend.

“He’s touching you and you’re not freaking out,” Tony replied, pushing the subject. 

“He’s not going to hurt me. He’s asked permission. He’s careful and a gentleman. He’s not going to pressure or push. He’s safe because he’s my boyfriend and I trust and love him. You’re safe because you’re my uncle,” you explained. It was a hard explanation, you weren’t sure you had it right, but Tony seemed to accept it. He still glared at Loki.

“If you do anything to hurt her…”

“You’ll…kill you ?” Loki asked with a grin. “Evidently, there will be a line,”

“What happened to the…asshole?” you asked Tony, sneaking a grin to Loki who had used such a bad word earlier.

“He’s in the hospital. A vegetable. They’re not sure if he’s ever going to recover. If he does, he’s going straight to jail. Officer Patricia will make sure of it. She’s the one who’s Julia’s sister,” he added at your confused look.

One of the nurses came in. “Kat, dear, Fury came to talk to us. You’re cleared to go back to your rooms whenever you’re ready,” she told you.  You nodded and would have scrambled off of the bed if Loki and Tony hadn’t both glared at you. Neither touched you, though, for which you was grateful. You could trust them, but restraining you on a bed would’ve been too much.

“Kat, I’m supposed to go on patrol. I can get Fury to let me off if you need me…” he hesitated. He hated shirking duty. 

You shook your head. “I’ll be fine,” you reassured him. 

He glared at Loki. “I will kill you if you do anything,” he hissed in no uncertain terms.

“Uncle Tony…” you really wish he’d stop threatening your boyfriend.

“Fine, just be careful, Kat. Stab him with one of your daggers first, ask questions later,” he reminded you.  You knew it was logical for him to be more cautious after what happened, but Loki wasn’t going to hurt you.

“Go do work,” you grumbled at him. He nodded and finally left, still looking worried. 

Once he was gone, Loki stood. He offered you his hand. “Shall we, my darling?” he asked. “Or I can carry you if you are not up to walking,” he offered. You took his hand and let him pull you to your feet.

“I’ll try walking first,” you told him. He nodded and didn’t look hurt or offended, for which you were grateful. You laid your hand on his arm, using him for support while you walked up to your room. We did at least take the elevator, which helped. He hesitated outside of your room, until you dragged him inside with you. “Can you find Beauty and the Beast?” you asked, pointing to your DVD rack. “I’m going to find some real clothes,” hospital clothes sucked. At least the gowns weren’t backless. You still wanted pants, though.

“Would you like me to-?” you shook your head at his offer to dress you with magic. You wanted to dress yourself this time. He nodded and went to your DVD rack to begin pulling movies. Not just the one you had asked for, but others you could watch today. 

You went into your bedroom, closing the door firmly behind you. You changed into pajamas with long pants and a full shirt, not a tank top like you had been wearing. Maybe you weren’t a secure as you were pretending. You knew you were safe, but it still felt better to have full pants, to be more covered. 

Loki smiled when he saw you come back. You felt his shield disappear from your mind and you panicked for a moment that the voices were going to return. Though you relaxed when you realized it was quiet in your suite, so you nodded that you were ok. Loki was already waiting for you on the couch. You sat down next to him and curled up against him, laying your head on his chest. “I nearly forgot,” he held up your bracelet with a shimmer of magic. “I kept it safe for you while you were in the infirmary.” you smiled.

“Thank you for saving it,” you told him and held up your wrist so he could put it back on. “And for saving me,” you added softly. 

“You saved yourself, my wonderful, strong, courageous darling,” he reminded you and started the movie before he pulled a blanket up over you. You relaxed with him. He was safe. You were safe with him, and you would work through the rest together. You rested that day in his arms. There were no kisses, but that seemed perfectly ok with both of you.

You were beyond grateful that he was understanding.